Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands consists of a group of 29 atolls and 5 solitary, low coral islands located in the
western Pacific region of Micronesia. They are situated northeast from the Caroline Islands (Federated
States of Micronesia) and northwest from the Gilbert Islands.
The group consists of two loose chains of atolls: the Ratak Chain (in the east) and the Ralik Chain (in the west). The two groups are located around 250 km apart and run in a northwest to southeast direction for around 1,200 km. The islands form the nation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and exist in close association with the United States.
The atolls of the Marshall Islands include some of the largest atolls on earth — with the atoll of Kwajalein being the world's third largest in terms of lagoon area. Despite the huge size of some of the Marshall atolls, each only has a very limited amount of dry land — around 10 km² or so being the average. In total, the Marshall Islands 1,200 plus islets constitute 183 km² of dry land sitting within an EEZ of 1.9 million km².
The easterly Ralik Chain consists of the 15 atolls of Ailinginae, Ailinglapalap, Bikini, Ebon, Enewetak, Jaluit, Kwajalein, Lae, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongerik, Ujae, Ujelang, and Wotho; and the three small islands of Jabwot, Kili, and Lib.
In the west, the Ratak chain consists of the 14 atolls of Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Erikub, Knox (Nadikdik), Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mili, Taka, Taongi, Utirik and Wotje; and the two islands of Jemo and Mejit.
