Marshall Islands
- Abstract
- Summary
- Comparative Statistical Analysis
- Strengths and Weakness
- Instruments ratifications
- Historical Data
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Wikipedia Country Information
The Marshall Islands, officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands (Marshallese: Aolepān Aorōkin Ṃajeḷ), is an island country and an associated state of the United States near the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, slightly west of the International Date Line. Geographically, the country is part of the larger island group of Micronesia. The country's population of 58,413 people (at the 2018 World Bank Census) is spread out over 29 coral atolls, comprising 1,156 individual islands and islets. The capital and largest city is Majuro. It has the largest portion of its territory made of water of any sovereign state, at 97.87%.
The islands share maritime boundaries with Wake Island to the north, Kiribati to the southeast, Nauru to the south, and Federated States of Micronesia to the west. About 52.3% of Marshall Islanders (27,797 at the 2011 Census) live on Majuro. Data from the United Nations indicates an estimated population in 2018 of 58,413. In 2016, 73.3% of the population were defined as being "urban". The UN also indicates a population density of 295 per km2 (765 people per mi2) and its projected 2020 population is 59,190.Micronesian colonists reached the Marshall Islands using canoes circa 2nd millennium BC, with interisland navigation made possible using traditional stick charts. They eventually settled here. Islands in the archipelago were first explored by Europeans in the 1520s, starting with Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer in the service of Spain, Juan Sebastián Elcano and Miguel de Saavedra. Spanish explorer Alonso de Salazar reported sighting an atoll in August 1526. Other expeditions by Spanish and English ships followed. The islands derive their name from John Marshall, who visited in 1788. The islands were historically known by the inhabitants as "jolet jen Anij" (Gifts from God).Spain claimed the islands in 1592, and the European powers recognized its sovereignty over the islands in 1874. They had been part of the Spanish East Indies formally since 1528. Later, Spain sold some of the islands to the German Empire in 1885, and they became part of German New Guinea that year, run by the trading companies doing business in the islands, particularly the Jaluit Company. In World War I, the Empire of Japan occupied the Marshall Islands, which, in 1920, the League of Nations combined with other former German territories to form the South Seas Mandate. During World War II, the United States took control of the islands in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign in 1944. Nuclear testing began on Bikini Atoll in 1946 and concluded in 1958.
The U.S. government formed the Congress of Micronesia in 1965, a plan for increased self-governance of Pacific islands. The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in May 1979 provided independence to the Marshall Islands, whose constitution and president (Amata Kabua) were formally recognized by the US. Full sovereignty or self-government was achieved in a Compact of Free Association with the United States. Marshall Islands has been a member of the Pacific Community (SPC) since 1983 and a United Nations member state since 1991. Politically, the Marshall Islands is a parliamentary republic with an executive presidency in free association with the United States, with the U.S. providing defense, subsidies, and access to U.S.-based agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission and the United States Postal Service. With few natural resources, the islands' wealth is based on a service economy, as well as some fishing and agriculture; aid from the United States represents a large percentage of the islands' gross domestic product. The country uses the United States dollar as its currency. In 2018, it also announced plans for a new cryptocurrency to be used as legal tender.The majority of the citizens of the Republic of Marshall Islands, formed in 1982, are of Marshallese descent, though there are small numbers of immigrants from the United States, China, Philippines, and other Pacific islands. The two official languages are Marshallese, which is one of the Oceanic languages, and English. Almost the entire population of the islands practices some religion: three-quarters of the country follows either the United Church of Christ – Congregational in the Marshall Islands (UCCCMI) or the Assemblies of God.
Instruments ratified: | 85 / 282 |
---|---|
World Average Ratifications: | 114 / 282 |
Ratification rate: | 19.95% |
World Average Rate: | 41.25% |
Weighted score: | 22.02% |
World Average Weighted Score: | 41.25% |
World rank: | 186 / 194 |
Developing country rank: | 85 / 87 |
Developing country Avg. Ratifications: | 109 / 282 |
Micronesia rank: | 3 / 5 |
Micronesia Avg. Ratifications: | 63 / 282 |
Small island developing States rank: | 33 / 37 |
Small island developing States Avg. Ratifications: | 86 / 282 |
CONTRACTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agency | 0/2 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 8 | Weak |
Conflict of laws | 0/7 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 27 | Weak |
E-commerce | 0/3 | 0.00% | 18.00% | 70 | Weak |
Franchising | 0/1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
Leasing/Factoring | 0/2 | 0.00% | 5.00% | 13 | Weak |
Principles, trade usages and standards | 0/2 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
Procurement | 0/4 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 31 | Weak |
Sale of Goods | 0/5 | 0.00% | 25.00% | 89 | Weak |
Travel contracts | 0/1 | 0.00% | 3.00% | 7 | Weak |
Total | 0 | 0.00% | 9.00% | 145 | Weak |
CUSTOMS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Customs Codification | 0/3 | 0.00% | 78.00% | 153 | Weak |
Customs Cooperation | 0/6 | 0.00% | 26.00% | 117 | Weak |
Exemption from Duties | 0/9 | 0.00% | 30.00% | 133 | Weak |
Temporary Admission | 0/11 | 0.00% | 28.00% | 126 | Weak |
Transit | 0/4 | 0.00% | 28.00% | 98 | Weak |
Total | 0 | 0.00% | 31.00% | 175 | Weak |
DISPUTE RESOLUTION | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Arbitration | 1/6 (16.67%) | 25.00% | 32.00% | 86 | Weak |
Judicial cooperation | 1/5 (20.00%) | 26.32% | 36.00% | 76 | Weak |
Recognition of foreign judgments | 0/2 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 6 | Weak |
State court jurisdiction | 0/4 | 0.00% | 14.00% | 29 | Weak |
State court procedure | 0/1 | 0.00% | 6.00% | 12 | Weak |
State immunities | 0/1 | 0.00% | 11.00% | 22 | Weak |
Total | 2 | 20.00% | 29.00% | 95 | Weak |
ENVIRONMENT AND PRODUCTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Air | 5/5 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 86.00% | 1 | Strong |
Chemicals | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 78.00% | 1 | Strong |
Energy | 0/2 | 0.00% | 25.00% | 50 | Weak |
Flora and fauna | 5/10 (50.00%) | 54.35% | 68.00% | 152 | Weak |
Foodstuff | 1/2 (50.00%) | 62.50% | 79.00% | 133 | Weak |
General | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 95.00% | 1 | Weak |
International watercourses | 0/1 | 0.00% | 18.00% | 36 | Weak |
Maritime and Law of the Sea | 22/26 (84.62%) | 80.43% | 46.00% | 27 | Strong |
Protected geographical areas | 0/1 | 0.00% | 27.00% | 54 | Weak |
Waste | 1/1 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 93.00% | 1 | Weak |
Total | 36 | 75.00% | 61.00% | 40 | Strong |
FINANCE, PAYMENTS AND INSOLVENCY | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Assignment of receivables | 0/1 | 0.00% | 1.00% | 2 | Weak |
Bankruptcy and insolvency | 0/1 | 0.00% | 21.00% | 41 | Weak |
Bills of exchange and promissory notes | 0/4 | 0.00% | 8.00% | 43 | Weak |
Cheques | 0/3 | 0.00% | 13.00% | 36 | Weak |
Credit transfers | 0/1 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1 | Average |
International guarantees | 0/3 | 0.00% | 20.00% | 75 | Weak |
Total | 0 | 0.00% | 12.00% | 117 | Weak |
GOOD GOVERNANCE | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Corruption | 1/4 (25.00%) | 41.67% | 50.00% | 92 | Weak |
Cultural Property | 1/4 (25.00%) | 31.25% | 54.00% | 142 | Weak |
Drugs | 3/3 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 95.00% | 1 | Weak |
Insider Trading | 0/1 | 0.00% | 4.00% | 9 | Weak |
Organized crime | 1/2 (50.00%) | 62.50% | 80.00% | 112 | Weak |
Total | 6 | 57.69% | 68.00% | 155 | Weak |
HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOUR STANDARDS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Human Rights | 7/7 (100.00%) | 100.00% | 96.00% | 1 | Weak |
Labour Standards | 7/8 (87.50%) | 87.50% | 86.00% | 134 | Weak |
Total | 14 | 93.33% | 91.00% | 126 | Weak |
INSTITUTIONAL PARTICIPATION | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Dispute Resolution | 0/1 | 0.00% | 39.00% | 77 | Weak |
International Trade Law | 3/10 (30.00%) | 30.00% | 73.00% | 189 | Weak |
Trade support institutions | 0/6 | 0.00% | 51.00% | 172 | Weak |
Total | 3 | 17.65% | 63.00% | 189 | Weak |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Broadcasting | 0/1 | 0.00% | 47.00% | 93 | Weak |
Copyright | 0/3 | 0.00% | 65.00% | 172 | Weak |
Industrial designs | 0/2 | 0.00% | 31.00% | 82 | Weak |
Integrated circuits | 0/1 | 0.00% | 2.00% | 4 | Weak |
Neighboring Rights | 0/3 | 0.00% | 46.00% | 120 | Weak |
Origin | 0/3 | 0.00% | 14.00% | 51 | Weak |
Patents | 0/5 | 0.00% | 57.00% | 177 | Weak |
Trademarks | 0/6 | 0.00% | 33.00% | 124 | Weak |
Varieties of plants | 0/1 | 0.00% | 37.00% | 73 | Weak |
Total | 0 | 0.00% | 42.00% | 181 | Weak |
INVESTMENTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Investment disputes | 0/2 | 0.00% | 39.00% | 152 | Weak |
Investment guaranty | 0/1 | 0.00% | 93.00% | 181 | Weak |
Total | 0 | 0.00% | 57.00% | 185 | Weak |
PRODUCTS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Marine Resources | 0/1 | 0.00% | 24.00% | 48 | Weak |
Timber | 0/1 | 0.00% | 31.00% | 61 | Weak |
General | 0/1 | 0.00% | 92.00% | 179 | Weak |
Total | 0 | 0.00% | 53.00% | 180 | Weak |
TRANSPORT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Air transport | 1/7 (14.29%) | 14.29% | 59.00% | 168 | Weak |
Aircrafts and civil aviation | 4/9 (44.44%) | 56.00% | 74.00% | 151 | Weak |
Maritime shipping and load lines | 10/13 (76.92%) | 91.43% | 66.00% | 38 | Strong |
Maritime transport | 8/12 (66.67%) | 50.00% | 27.00% | 13 | Strong |
Multi modal transport | 0/2 | 0.00% | 4.00% | 15 | Weak |
Rail transport | 0/3 | 0.00% | 22.00% | 50 | Weak |
Road transport | 0/4 | 0.00% | 31.00% | 86 | Weak |
Space | 0/4 | 0.00% | 40.00% | 120 | Weak |
Telecommunications | 1/2 (50.00%) | 83.33% | 47.00% | 26 | Strong |
Total | 24 | 44.59% | 50.00% | 117 | Weak |
TREATIES LAW | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
General | 0/4 | 0.00% | 30.00% | 113 | Weak |
Total | 0 | 0.00% | 30.00% | 113 | Weak |
WTO | Inst. ratified | Country score | World avg. score | Country rank in world | Strength |
Plurilateral Agreements | 0/2 | 0.00% | 18.00% | 45 | Weak |
WTO Agreements | 0/1 | 0.00% | 81.00% | 159 | Weak |
Total | 0 | 0.00% | 47.00% | 159 | Weak |
Strong | |
---|---|
Environment and products | Air |
Environment and products | Chemicals |
Environment and products | Maritime and Law of the Sea |
Transport and telecommunications | Maritime shipping and load lines |
Transport and telecommunications | Maritime transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Telecommunications |
Average | |
Contracts | Franchising |
Contracts | Principles, trade usages and standards |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Credit transfers |
Weak | |
Contracts | Agency |
Contracts | Conflict of laws |
Contracts | E-commerce |
Contracts | Leasing/Factoring |
Contracts | Procurement |
Contracts | Sale of Goods |
Contracts | Travel contracts |
Customs | Customs Codification |
Customs | Customs Cooperation |
Customs | Exemption from Duties |
Customs | Temporary Admission |
Customs | Transit |
Dispute resolution | Arbitration |
Dispute resolution | Judicial cooperation |
Dispute resolution | Recognition of foreign judgments |
Dispute resolution | State court jurisdiction |
Dispute resolution | State court procedure |
Dispute resolution | State immunities |
Environment and products | Energy |
Environment and products | Flora and fauna |
Environment and products | Foodstuff |
Environment and products | General |
Environment and products | International watercourses |
Environment and products | Protected geographical areas |
Environment and products | Waste |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Assignment of receivables |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Bankruptcy and insolvency |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Bills of exchange and promissory notes |
Finance, payments and insolvency | Cheques |
Finance, payments and insolvency | International guarantees |
Good Governance | Corruption |
Good Governance | Cultural Property |
Good Governance | Drugs |
Good Governance | Insider Trading |
Good Governance | Organized crime |
Human Rights and Labour Standards | Human rights |
Human Rights and Labour Standards | Labour Standards |
Institutional Participation | Dispute Resolution |
Institutional Participation | International Trade Law |
Institutional Participation | Trade support institutions |
Intellectual property | Broadcasting |
Intellectual property | Copyright |
Intellectual property | Industrial designs |
Intellectual property | Integrated circuits |
Intellectual property | Neighboring Rights |
Intellectual property | Origin |
Intellectual property | Patents |
Intellectual property | Trademarks |
Intellectual property | Varieties of plants |
Investments | Investment disputes |
Investments | Investment guaranty |
Products | General |
Products | Marine Resources |
Products | Timber |
Transport and telecommunications | Air transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Aircrafts and civil aviation |
Transport and telecommunications | Multi modal transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Rail transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Road transport |
Transport and telecommunications | Space |
Treaties law | General |
WTO | Plurilateral Agreements |
WTO | WTO Agreements |
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