Island Language Marshall

The Republic of the Marshall Islands is a sovereign nation in "free association" with the United States. After more than a decade of negotiation, the Marshall Islands and the United States signed the Compact of Free Association on June 25, 1983. The people of the Marshall Islands approved the compact in a UN-observed plebiscite on September 7, 1983. The U.S. Congress subsequently approved the compact, adding several amendments which were accepted by the Government of the Marshall Islands and the compact entered into force on October 21, 1986. In 1999-2003, the two nations negotiated an amended Compact that entered into force on May 1, 2004. Under the amended Compact, the U.S. will provide the RMI $57 million over the next ten years and $62 million over the following 10 years, and will give Marshallese access to U.S. programs and services throughout. A Joint Economic Management and Financial Accountability Committee (JEMFAC) comprised of representatives of both governments will ensure t ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

The total population of the Marshall Islands as of the 1999 census was 50,840 people.  That was an increase of 7,460 people since the 1988 census. Majuro and Ebeye are the two urban population centers. Over 50% of Marshallese live on Majuro Atoll. Out of the total population, 19% live in the island of Ebeye in Kwajalein Atoll and 3% on the outer islands of Kwajalein Atoll. With just 0.14 square miles, Ebeye Island is the most densely populated area in the Marshall Islands, with an equivalent population density of 66,750 persons per square mile. The city of Majuro and Ebeye offer amenities, such as electricity, modern Western lifestyles, and employment opportunities (albeit limited) that continually draw younger Marshallese from the outer islands. On the outer atolls the lifestyle is mostly unchanged and untouched by modern development. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: U.S. Seeks to Amend Compact with Micronesia, Marshall Islands

As I noted at the beginning of my statement, the U.S. Administration hopes to complete its negotiations soon with the FSM and the RMI negotiating teams on the Compact language and appropriate funding levels. We also hope to wrap up, subject to final approval, several key subsidiary agreements including the trust fund agreement. In general, talks with both FAS are progressing well. We have had five negotiating sessions with the FSM, and three with the RMI. Upcoming rounds to conclude Compact funding and language issues should occur this August. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: State's Daley Stresses Mutual Interests of U.S., Pacific Island Nations

The Pacific island nations include the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Fiji Islands, the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Nauru, the Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Independent State of Samoa, the Solomon Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Republic of Vanuatu. ...

I am pleased and honored to be here tonight to deliver the Peter Tali Coleman Lecture. Beyond being a four-time governor of his native American Samoa, Peter Coleman also served as administrator of the Marshall and Mariana Islands, and Deputy High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. His decades of service to both the United States and the peoples of the Pacific islands should be a model for us all. ... [Read More]

Micronesia (10/04)

The ancestors of the Micronesians settled the Caroline Islands over 4,000 years ago. A decentralized chieftain-based system eventually evolved into a more centralized economic and religious empire centered on Yap. European explorers--first the Portuguese in search of the Spice Islands (Indonesia) and then the Spanish--reached the Carolines in the 16th century, with the Spanish establishing sovereignty. The current FSM passed to German control in 1899, then to the Japanese in 1914, and finally to the U.S. under UN auspices in 1947 as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. ... [Read More]

Background Notes Archive - East Asia and the Pacific

U.S. Department of StateBackground Notes: Micronesia, June 1996Bureau of East Asian and Pacific AffairsPrepared and released by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Office of Pacific Island AffairsJune 1996Official Name: Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)PROFILEPeopleNationality: Noun and adjective: Micronesian(s).Population: 105,900 (1994 est.).Annual growth rate: 3.35% (1995 est.).Ethnic groups: Nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups.Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 47%.Languages: English (official and common language), Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosraean.Education: Literacy--89% (1980 est.).Health: Infant mortality rate--37 deaths/1000 live births (1995 est.). Life expectancy--men 66 yrs., women 70 yrs. (1995 est.).GeographyArea: 702 sq. km. (approximately 270 sq. mi.) in four major island groups totaling 607 islands.Cities: FSM Capital--Palikir (Pohnpei).Other cities: Moen (Chuuk), Colonia (Yap), Lelu (Kosrae).Terrain: Island ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

The outside world had little contact with the islands until the mid-19th century, when American whalers and missionaries entered the region. Spain claimed the Caroline and Mariana Islands in 1885 and retained them until 1899, when Germany purchased most of the island chains in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War. Germany, in turn, lost its possession to Japan in 1914 at the beginning of World War I. The League of Nations formally extended a mandate to Japan in 1920, thus confirming the Japanese era of colonization. Intensive crop production began, and the islands became exporters of many agricultural products. In 1945, after World War II, control passed to the U.S. Navy and then to the Department of Interior under a Trusteeship under U.N. auspices which began in 1947. The FSM, together with the Marshall Islands, Palau, and Northern Mariana Islands, made up the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. The FSM came into existence in 1979, and on November 3, 1986, the FSM and the Uni ... [Read More]

Judicial Assistance in Canada

U.S. Department of State [Read More]

IEW Events > United States

With 102 countries and 83 languages represented in the school district, schools will be participating in a variety of ways. "International Literacy Day" will highlight books written by international authors or written about international subjects. "International Languages Day" will feature students reading announcements in their native languages. "Magnet Schools Day" will feature the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Leadership and Global Economic magnet schools will hold various events throughout the day. "Mix-It Up Day" will encourage students to talk with people who they do not normally interact with on a daily basis. "Native Dress Day" will feature students and staff wearing their native attire. Other events at schools include international music performances (Mecklenburg High and Randolph Middle); the Pledge of Allegia ... [Read More]