The Republic of the Marshall Islands

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) geographically consists of 29 low lying coral atolls and 5 single islands, scattered over 780,000 square miles of ocean and located roughly 2,100 miles SW of Hawaii and 2,900 miles northeast of Australia. These atolls and single coral islands are situated in two nearly parallel chains, referred in the local vernacular as the “Ratak” (Sunrise), or eastern chain and the Ralik (“Sunset”) or western chain. These chains form in a general northeast by southeast direction. The two chains of islands and atolls form two traditional and political subdivisions. In earlier history, there were two distinct dialects spoken, specific to each chain. Over the years, however, these dialects have merged into a common language. Although these two areas spoke different dialects at earlier periods in history, they have always shared a common culture.