The Marshall Islands are a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean belonging to Micronesia. Once used for nuclear weapons tests, today they are an insider tip for a holiday in the Pacific with their beautiful reefs and underwater world. Unfortunately, the Marshall Islands are also severely threatened by rising sea levels worldwide.
| Capital City | Majuro |
| Size | 181 km² |
| Resident | 70.000 |
| Official Language | Marshallese, English |
| Currency | US-Dollar |
| Time Zone | UTC+12 |
| Telephone Area Code | +692 |
Fast facts to know
- Consists of 2 parallel atolls
- 1225 islands and 870 reefs
- The land surface is on average 2 meters above sea level
- Threatened with sinking due to sea level rise
- Used for nuclear and hydrogen bomb testing after WWII
- Identified as a blacklisted tax haven by the EU in 2016
- Considered an insider tip in Pacific tourism
- The two island chains of the Marshall Islands are called Ratak (sunrise) and Ralik (sunset)
- Breathtaking South Sea atolls and colorful underwater worlds
- Since 2010, the former nuclear test area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a protected area
- The three main islands of Majuro Atoll are connected by causeways
- Sparse vegetation, manageable wildlife (bats, Polynesian rats), but very rich underwater world
- Entry visa (30 days) will be issued upon proof of sufficient cash and return (onward) travel ticket
Exciting cities in the Marshall Islands
- Majuro
- Ebeye
- jabor
- Wotje
History of the Marshall Islands
- Settled around 2,000 years before Christ
- In 1526 the first European navigator discovered the islands
- Visited by English Captain John Marshall in 1788, after which they were later named
- 1850s proselytizing
- Establishment of coconut plantations by German merchants
- From 1906 part of the German New Guinea colony
- 1914 Conquest by Japan
- 1944 Conquest by the USA
- 1979 independent republic
- Fully independent under international law since 1990
Climate & travel weather on the Marshall Islands
- Tropical humid climate all year round
- High humidity of 85%
- Water temperatures 28° – 30° C
- Short, heavy rain showers possible at any time
- Tropical cyclones possible between Sep and Nov (though rare)
- May – Nov more precipitation than in dry season from Dec – Apr
- Best travel time:
- December – April, as there is less precipitation and mostly perfect bathing conditions
Ideas for trips in the Marshall Islands
- Sonnen am Laura Beach
- deep sea fishing
- Diving the reefs of the Bikini Atolls
- Visit the wrecks and remnants of WWII
- Alele National Museum on Uliga
- On Delap you will find many hotels, restaurants, shops and leisure facilities
- Visit mussel farms
- Travel back in time on the Arno Atoll
Eating & Drinking in the Marshall Islands
- Breadfruit as a staple food
- Fish as the main food source
- Often used: pandan nut (screw tree), swamp tare, coconut
- Typical dishes:
- Barramundi cod cooked in banana leaves
- Roasted chestnuts
- roast Chicken
- Fried shrimp
- Palm thief (world’s largest terrestrial crab species) as a local delicacy
Particularly scenic
- Laura Beach
- Bikini-Atoll
- Mili Islands
