Marshall Islands: Flag and Facts
The Marshall Islands flag is blue with orange and white diagonal stripes rising from the lower left to the upper right, and a white star with 24 rays above them.
- Official name
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Capital
- Majuro
- Region
- Micronesia
- Population
- 82,011 (2024)
- Languages
- English, Marshallese
- Currency
- United States dollar
- Area
- 181 km² (70 sq mi)
- People
- Marshallese
- Calling code
- +692
- Highest point
- East-central Airik Island, Maloelap Atoll 14 m
- Independence
- 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
- National symbols
- a 24-rayed star
- Borders
- No land borders
About Marshall Islands
Blue is for the Pacific. Orange stands for the Ralik Chain, sunset, and courage, while white stands for the Ratak Chain, sunrise, and peace. The star has four large rays and 20 small ones. Each small ray marks an electoral district, and the four big rays point to the key cultural centers: Majuro, Ebeye, Jaluit, and Wotje.
People arrived during the first millennium B.C. and became expert navigators, using stick charts to map the atolls. Spain claimed the islands in 1592, Germany bought them in 1884, and Japan took them in 1914. US forces captured them in World War II. From 1946 to 1958, the US carried out 67 nuclear tests here, and Bikini and Rongelap remain largely empty today. A constitution followed in 1979, and full independence from the UN trusteeship came on 21 October 1986. The islands are low coral limestone and sand.
Did you know?
- The highest point is on Airik Island in Maloelap Atoll, only 14 m above sea level.
- The Marshall Islands uses the US dollar.
- All the islands together cover 181 square kilometers, close to the area of Washington, D.C.
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Questions about Marshall Islands
What is the capital of the Marshall Islands?
Majuro is the capital, with about 31,000 people as of 2018.
What languages are spoken in the Marshall Islands?
Marshallese and English are the main languages.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.