Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands, a group in the western Pacific, bisected by 10° N. lat., and having the Caroline group to the west, consists of two parallel chains of low coral-reefs—one, the Ratak group, consisting of fifteen islands, and measuring in all 48 sq. m.; the other, the Ralik group, eighteen islands, with a total area of 107 sq. m. The cocoanut and pandanus palms and the bread-fruit tree are the principal sources of food, besides fish. Coprah is the only export (2800 tons annually). The inhabitants, 11,600 in number, belong to the Micronesian division, and are an ugly but good-natured and hospitable race, fond of song and dance, and skilful weavers of bast mats. The Boston (U.S.) Mission Society have a branch here. These islands were annexed by Germany in 1885. See Hager, Die Marshallinseln (Leip. 1886).