Marshall Islands
Travel Guide > Oceania > Marshall Islands
In this Article
- Introduction
- Brief History
- Geography
- Regions/Islands
- Cities
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Weather
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Red Tape
- Money
- Work
- Study
- Language
- Eat
- Sleep
- Drink
- Health
- Safety
- Keep Connected
Quick Facts
[edit]
- Local Name
- Aolepān Aorōkin M̧ajeļ
- Capital
- Majuro
- Government
- Constitutional Government in free association with the USA
- Nationality
- Marshallese
- Population
- 61,000
- Languages
- Marshallese, English
- Religions
- Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)
- Currency
- US Dollar (USD)
- Calling Code
- +692
- Time zone
- UTC+12
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Introduction
The Marshall Islands, like the neighbouring Northern Mariana Islands, were passed from Spanish to German to Japanese to American hands. Like the Marianas, they were the site of fierce fighting during WWII. The Marshalls, however, were treated to the honour of becoming a nuclear testing ground of the United States. Bikini and Enewetak Atolls were deserted as dozens of bombs were exploded. Unable to be settled again, Bikini Atoll has proceeded to become a dumping ground for the radioactive waste of North America and Asia.
While the Marshallese have plenty to be angry about, most travellers are amazed at their friendliness. Culture beats strong, with traditional practices evident in daily life. Beyond anthropological adventures, most tourists are attracted to the Marshalls for their diving opportunities: stunning coral scenery and haunting WWII wrecks are what make the Marshalls killer diving ground.
Brief History
Geography
Regions/Islands
29 atolls and 5 isolated islands make up the Marshall Islands. The most important atolls can be divided into two island chains.
- Ratak Chain (sunrise)
- Ralik Chain (sunset)
Most of the population live on Majuro atoll (the capital) and Ebeye atoll.
Cities
Sights and Activities
Laura Lagoon
Laura is located at the western end of the Majuro Atoll and is a great escape from it all. You can get here by taking the palm-lined road from the east of Majuro and enjoy the quiet beaches, relaxing, lazying around, go snorkelling on the reef and finally read that book. Life is good here and although it is privately owned, you are allowed here for a small fee.
Arno Atoll
The Arno Atoll consists of more than 130 small islands and is known for it's 'school of love', where young women used to learn the art of making love perfectly. Apart from this though, there is excellent deepsea fishing from Longar Point. You'll have the chance to cath yellowfin tuna, marlin, mahi-mahi and sailfish. Arno is the only atoll reachable by regular boat service.
Alele Museum & Public Library
The Alele Museum & Public Library is a neighbour of the courthouse and is located in Uliga. It has some small but good-quality exhibits of early Marshallese culture. These include the famous stick charts, model canoes and shell tools. The stick charts were a kind of tools used by the Marshallese people to help them memorise wave patterns. This was the key to success amongst the hundreds of low lying atolls.
Bikini Atoll and Island
If there is one geographical name in the world that is famous, this would be the number one. Bikini is known both for being the location of nuclear bomb tests and because the bikini swimsuit was named after the island in 1946. The latter only happened two days after the first nuclear test on the atoll, and the name of the island was in the news all over the world. If you want to visit, it might be better to read something about Bikini and its history and wether it is safe to visit.
Events and Festivals
Weather
Getting There
By Plane
Marshall Islands International Airport (MAJ), also known as Amata Kabua International Airport, is the gateway to the country. Flag carrier Air Marshall Islands is based here in this airport but operates domestic, inter-island flights only. Continental Airlines, operated by its subsidiary Continental Micronesia, flies into Majuro from Chuuk, Guam, Honolulu, Kosrae, Kwajalein and Pohnpei.
By Train
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
Getting Around
By Plane
Air Marshall Islands provides domestic services between many of the islands and atolls. The main hubs are Majuro and Kwjalein, between the two it takes around 50 minutes one way.
By Car
Affordable cars can be rented at Majuro and most roads are paved. Traffic drives on the right and your national driver's licence is valid for 30 days. Most other islands and atolls are easily explored by bike or on foot.
By Bus
Majuro has a well organised shared taxi system. Just wave your hand and you will be on your way again. There are also frequent and cheap somewhat larger minivans plying the main routes on the island.
By Boat
There is no scheduled passenger services, but government-run boats travel between the islands infrequently. Otherwise, some cruises are available or even better and cheaper: shop around and ask locals to spend the day with you on the water to go out diving, snorkelling or fishing.
Red Tape
Money
See also: Money Matters
The US Dollar, or "greenback", is the national currency of the Marshall Islands. One dollar consists of 100 cents. Frequently used coins are the penny (1¢), nickel (5¢), dime (10¢) and quarter (25¢). 50¢ and $1 coins also exist, but are rarely used. Frequently used banknotes are the $1, $5, $10 and $20 notes. $2, $50 and $100 notes can also be found, but are rarely used.
Work
Study
Language
Eat
Sleep
Drink
Health
Safety
This is version 9. Last edited at 18:34 on Sep 28, 08 by Utrecht (+906). 4 articles link to this page.
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