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Central Intelligence Agency
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| page last updated on January 28, 2013 |
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(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
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Click flag or map to enlarge 
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Click map to enlarge
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| no photos available of Marshall Islands |
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| Introduction ::Marshall Islands |
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After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network.
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| Geography ::Marshall Islands |
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Oceania, two archipelagic island chains of 29 atolls, each made up of many small islets, and five single islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia
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9 00 N, 168 00 E
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total: 181 sq km
country comparison to the world: 217
land:
181 sq km
water:
0 sq km
note:
the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik
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about the size of Washington, DC
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0 km
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370.4 km
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
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tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
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low coral limestone and sand islands
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
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coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
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arable land: 11.11%
permanent crops:
44.44%
other:
44.45% (2005)
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0 sq km
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infrequent typhoons
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inadequate supplies of potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
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the islands of Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein atoll, famous as a World War II battleground, surrounds the world's largest lagoon and is used as a US missile test range; the island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific
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| People and Society ::Marshall Islands |
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noun: Marshallese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Marshallese
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Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006)
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Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 census)
note:
English (official), widely spoken as a second language
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Protestant 54.8%, Assembly of God 25.8%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Bukot nan Jesus 2.8%, Mormon 2.1%, other Christian 3.6%, other 1%, none 1.5% (1999 census)
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68,480 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
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0-14 years: 37.8% (male 13,180/ female 12,687)
15-64 years:
59.1% (male 20,645/ female 19,824)
65 years and over:
3.1% (male 1,046/ female 1,098) (2012 est.)
population pyramid: 
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total: 21.9 years
male:
21.9 years
female:
22 years (2012 est.)
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1.874% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
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28.14 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
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4.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
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-5.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
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urban population: 72% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:
2.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
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MAJURO (capital) 30,000 (2009)
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.95 male(s)/female
total population:
1.04 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
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total: 22.93 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 85
male:
25.79 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
19.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
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total population: 72.03 years
country comparison to the world: 132
male:
69.92 years
female:
74.25 years (2012 est.)
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3.37 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
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2.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 184
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0.559 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
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2.7 beds/1,000 population (2009)
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improved:
urban: 83% of population
rural: 53% of population
total: 73% of population
unimproved:
urban: 17% of population
rural: 47% of population
total: 27% of population
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NA
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NA
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NA
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12% of GDP (2004)
country comparison to the world: 4
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
93.7%
male:
93.6%
female:
93.7% (1999)
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total: 12 years
male:
11 years
female:
12 years (2003)
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| Government ::Marshall Islands |
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conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form:
Marshall Islands
local long form:
Republic of the Marshall Islands
local short form:
Marshall Islands
abbreviation:
RMI
former:
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District
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constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 21 October 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
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name: Majuro
geographic coordinates:
7 06 N, 171 23 E
time difference:
UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje
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21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
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Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
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1 May 1979
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mixed legal system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes
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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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18 years of age; universal
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chief of state: President Christopher J. LOEAK (since 17 January 2012); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:
President Christopher J. LOEAK (since 17 January 2012)
cabinet:
Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of the legislature
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections:
president elected by Nitijela (legislature) from among its members for a four-year term; election last held on 3 January 2012 (next to be held in 2016)
election results:
Nitijela elects Christopher J. LOEAK president on 3 January 2012
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unicameral legislature or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:
last held on 19 November 2007 (next to be held by November 2011)
election results:
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 33
note:
the Council of Chiefs or Ironij is a 12-member body comprised of tribal chiefs that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice
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Supreme Court; High Court; Traditional Rights Court
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traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Aelon Kein Ad Party [Michael KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]
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NA
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ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
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chief of mission: Ambassador Charles R. PAUL
chancery:
2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 234-5414
FAX:
[1] (202) 232-3236
consulate(s) general:
Honolulu
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chief of mission: Ambassador Martha L. CAMPBELL
embassy:
Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379
telephone:
[692] 247-4011
FAX:
[692] 247-4012
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blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays appears on the hoist side above the two stripes; blue represents the Pacific Ocean, the orange stripe signifies the Ralik Chain or sunset and courage, while the white stripe signifies the Ratak Chain or sunrise and peace; the star symbolizes the cross of Christianity, each of the 24 rays designates one of the electoral districts in the country and the four larger rays highlight the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit, Wotje, and Ebeye; the rising diagonal band can also be interpreted as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago's position just to the north
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name: "Forever Marshall Islands"
lyrics/music:
Amata KABUA
note:
adopted 1981
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| Economy ::Marshall Islands |
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US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. The Marshall Islands received more than $1 billion in aid from the US from 1986-2002. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Amended Compact of Free Association, the US will provide millions of dollars per year to the Marshall Islands (RMI) through 2023, at which time a Trust Fund made up of US and RMI contributions will begin perpetual annual payouts. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, the decline in tourism, and less income from the renewal of fishing vessel licenses have held GDP growth to an average of 1% over the past decade.
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$133.5 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
$115 million (2001 est.)
note:
data are in 2012 US dollars
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$161.7 million (2008 est.)
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-0.3% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
3.5% (2005 est.)
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$2,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
$2,900 (2005 est.)
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agriculture: 31.7%
industry:
14.9%
services:
53.4% (2004 est.)
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14,680 (2000)
country comparison to the world: 213
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agriculture: 21.4%
industry:
20.9%
services:
57.7% (2000)
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36% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
30.9% (2000 est.)
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NA%
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:
NA%
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revenues: $123.3 million
expenditures:
$NA (2008)
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76.3% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 6
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NA% of GDP (2008)
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12.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
3% (2005 est.)
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coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens
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NA%
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$19.4 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
$9.1 million (2000 est.)
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copra cake, coconut oil, handicrafts, fish
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$79.4 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
$54.7 million (2000 est.)
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foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco
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$87 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
$86.5 million (FY99/00 est.)
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the US dollar is used, 1 (2012 est.)
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1 October - 30 September
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| Communications ::Marshall Islands |
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4,400 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 212
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3,800 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 214
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general assessment: digital switching equipment; modern services include telex, cellular, Internet, international calling, caller ID, and leased data circuits
domestic:
Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by high frequency radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes) and mini-satellite telephones
international:
country code - 692; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein (2005)
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no TV broadcast station; a cable network is available on Majuro with programming via videotape replay and satellite relays; 4 radio broadcast stations; American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio and television service to Kwajalein Atoll (2009)
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.mh
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3 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 233
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2,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 210
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| Transportation ::Marshall Islands |
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15 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 145
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total: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m:
3
914 to 1,523 m:
1 (2012)
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total: 11
914 to 1,523 m:
10
under 914 m:
1 (2012)
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total: 2,028 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 174
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total: 1,593
country comparison to the world: 7
by type:
barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 524, cargo 65, carrier 1, chemical tanker 351, container 226, liquefied gas 88, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 297, refrigerated cargo 13, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 10
foreign-owned:
1,468 (Belgium 1, Bermuda 35, Brazil 1, Canada 8, China 14, Croatia 12, Cyprus 40, Denmark 7, Egypt 1, France 7, Germany 248, Greece 408, Hong Kong 3, India 10, Indonesia 1, Iraq 2, Ireland 6, Italy 1, Japan 59, Jersey 11, Kuwait 2, Latvia 19, Malaysia 11, Mexico 2, Monaco 30, Netherlands 21, Norway 75, Pakistan 1, Qatar 29, Romania 2, Russia 5, Singapore 30, Slovenia 6, South Korea 41, Sweden 1, Switzerland 12, Taiwan 8, Turkey 70, UAE 12, UK 12, UK 3, Ukraine 1, US 200) (2010)
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Enitwetak Island, Kwajalein, Majuro
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| Military ::Marshall Islands |
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no regular military forces; Marshall Islands Police (2012)
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males age 16-49: 16,446 (2010 est.)
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males age 16-49: 13,568
females age 16-49:
13,606 (2010 est.)
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male: 653
female:
631 (2010 est.)
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NA
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defense is the responsibility of the US
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| Transnational Issues ::Marshall Islands |
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claims US territory of Wake Island
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