The Republic of the Marshall Islands, is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. The population is about 62,000. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the United States.
Capital: Majuro (Delap)
Largest city: Majuro
Official languages: Marshallese, English
The US$ is the currency used in the Marshalls. Credit cards are accepted on Majuro but have limited usage on the other isles. The main banks are located in the capital Majuro; only one of them offers ATM facilities.
Politics of the Marshall Islands takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, and of an emerging multi-party system, whereby the President of the Marshall Islands is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Nitijela (Legislature). The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.