Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands A self-governing island group in the central Pacific Ocean. Inhabited by Micronesian peoples, the islands were sighted by Spanish explorers in the early 16th century and were governed by Spain and Germany until 1920, when they became a Japanese mandate. From 1947 they were part of the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, during which time the United States carried out nuclear tests on Enewetak and Bikini atolls. The islands became self-governing in 1979 and attained free association status with the United States in 1986. Majuro is the capital. Population: 61,800. Marshal·lese (-sh-lz, -ls) adj. & n.

Marshall Islands

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Marshall Islands [ˈmɑːʃəl]

pl n

(Placename) a republic, consisting of a group of 34 coral islands in the W central Pacific: administratively part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (1947-87); status of free association with the US from 1986; consists of two parallel chains, Ralik and Ratak. Official languages: Marshallese and English. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: US dollar. Capital: Majuro. Pop.: 52 300 (2001). Area: (land) 181 sq. km (70 sq. miles); (lagoon) 11 655 sq. km (4500 sq. miles)

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	Marshall Islands - a republic (under United States protection) on the Marshall Islands Republic of the Marshall Islands Marshall Islands - a group of coral islands in eastern Micronesia U.S.A., United States, United States of America, US, USA, America, the States, U.S. - North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
	2.	Marshall Islands - a group of coral islands in eastern Micronesia Federated States of Micronesia, Micronesia, TT - a country scattered over Micronesia with a constitutional government in free association with the United States; achieved independence in 1986 Marshall Islands, Republic of the Marshall Islands - a republic (under United States protection) on the Marshall Islands Bikini - an atoll in the Marshall Islands; formerly used by the United States as a site for testing nuclear weapons Eniwetok - an atoll in the Marshall Islands; site of an amphibious assault in World War II; later used temporarily by the United States to test atomic bombs Kwajalein - an atoll in the western Marshall Islands that was used as a Japanese air and naval base during World War II