The Marshall Islands is an island country in Micronesia, in the central Pacific Ocean. The country consists of 29 coral atolls and five main islands, with over 1,200 very small islets spread across two island chains: Ratak and Ralik. Majuro is the capital and largest city, home to almost half of the nation’s population.

The Marshallese people are predominantly Micronesian, and the official languages are Marshallese and English. The economy relies on U.S. financial support, copra production, leasing land to the U.S. military for missile testing, and subsistence agriculture and fishing.

The country has experienced extensive exposure to international influences, from German to Japanese and American administrations, eventually achieving independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States.