Editing Marshall Islands (section)

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of the Marshall Islands|Administrative divisions of the Marshall Islands|}}
[[File:MH -map A.png|right|thumb|Map of the Marshall Islands]]
[[File:JJ7V2741 (40325750).jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of [[Majuro]], one of the many [[atoll]]s that make up the Marshall Islands]]
[[File:Eneko Islet 12.JPG|thumb|Beach scenery at the islet of Eneko, Majuro]]
[[File:Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site-115017.jpg|thumb|View of the coast of [[Bikini Atoll]] from above]]
[[File:Marshall Islands (10700720174).jpg|thumb|View of Marshall Islands]]
[[File:Kwajalein Atoll 2003-02-07 - Landsat 7 - 30m.png|thumb|Kwajalein atoll is another important population center for the Marshall islands]]
[[File:Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.jpg|thumb|Closer view of Kwajalein atoll reveals a typical geography, the rim of the atoll is dotted with coral islands surrounding a lagoon.]]

The Marshall Islands sit atop ancient submerged volcanoes rising from the ocean floor, about halfway between [[Hawaii]] and [[Australia]],<ref name=pacificrisa>{{cite web |title=Republic of the Marshall Islands |date=3 February 2012 |url=http://www.pacificrisa.org/places/republic-of-the-marshall-islands/ |publisher=Pacific RISA |access-date=November 1, 2015 |archive-date=22 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022023436/http://www.pacificrisa.org/places/republic-of-the-marshall-islands/ |url-status=live}}</ref> north of [[Nauru]] and [[Kiribati]], east of the [[Federated States of Micronesia]], and south of the disputed U.S. territory of [[Wake Island]], to which it also lays claim.<ref name="rmiembassyus.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.rmiembassyus.org/Geography.htm |title=Geography |website=Rmiembassyus.org |access-date=August 22, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115173707/http://rmiembassyus.org/Geography.htm |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The atolls and islands form two groups: the [[Ratak Chain|Ratak (sunrise)]] and the [[Ralik Chain|Ralik (sunset)]]. The two island chains lie approximately parallel to one another, running northwest to southeast, comprising about {{convert|750000|sqmi}} of ocean but only about {{convert|70|sqmi}} of land mass.<ref name=pacificrisa/> Each includes 15 to 18 islands and atolls.<ref name=beardslee>{{cite book |last1=Beardslee |first1=L. A. |title=Marshall Group. North Pacific Islands |series=Publications.no. 27 |date=1870 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |location=Washington DC |page=33 |access-date=November 1, 2015 |url=http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hnnx9n;view=2up;seq=8;size=125 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224122102/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hnnx9n;view=2up;seq=8;size=125 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The country consists of a total of 29 [[atoll]]s and five individual islands situated in about {{convert|180,000|sqmi}} of the Pacific.<ref name="rmiembassyus.org"/> The largest atoll with a land area of {{convert|6|sqmi}} is Kwajalein. It surrounds a {{convert|655|sqmi|adj=on}} lagoon.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Alcalay |first1=Glenn |last2=Fuchs |first2=Andrew |title=History of the Marshall Islands |url=http://www.atomicatolls.org/culture-history-cont-d |website=atomicatolls.com |access-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107171511/http://www.atomicatolls.org/culture-history-cont-d |url-status=live}}</ref>

Twenty-four of the atolls and islands are inhabited. The remaining atolls are uninhabited due to poor living conditions, lack of rain, or nuclear contamination. The uninhabited atolls are:

* [[Ailinginae Atoll]]
* [[Bikar Atoll|Bikar (Bikaar) Atoll]]
* [[Bikini Atoll]] 
* [[Bokak Atoll]]
* [[Erikub Atoll]]
* [[Jemo Island]]
* [[Nadikdik Atoll]]
* [[Rongerik Atoll]]
* [[Toke Atoll]]
* [[Ujelang Atoll]]

The average altitude above sea level for the entire country is {{convert|7|feet}}.<ref name="rmiembassyus.org"/>

===Shark sanctuary===

In October 2011, the government declared that an area covering nearly {{convert|2000000|km2|sqmi|-3|sp=us}} of ocean shall be reserved as a [[shark sanctuary]]. This is the world's largest shark sanctuary, extending the worldwide ocean area in which sharks are protected from {{convert|2700000|to|4600000|km2|sqmi|-3|sp=us}}. In protected waters, all shark fishing is banned and all [[bycatch|by-catch]] must be released. However, some have questioned the ability of the Marshall Islands to enforce this zone.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15142472 |title=Vast shark sanctuary created in Pacific |work=BBC News |date=October 3, 2011 |access-date=November 25, 2011 |archive-date=November 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115040000/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15142472 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Territorial claim on Wake Island===

The Marshall Islands also lays claim to [[Wake Island]] based on oral legends.<ref name="Wake Island">[https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/wake-island/ Wake Island] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120170347/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/wake-island/ |date=2021-01-20 }}. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].</ref> While Wake Island has been administered by the United States since 1899, the Marshallese government refers to it by the name ''Ānen Kio'' (new orthography) or ''Enen-kio'' (old orthography).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.infomarshallislands.com/enen-kio-a-k-a-wake-island/ |title=Enen Kio (a.k.a. Wake Island) • Marshall Islands Guide |date=2016-12-16 |website=Marshall Islands Guide |language=en-US |access-date=2019-01-16 |archive-date=2019-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116205420/https://www.infomarshallislands.com/enen-kio-a-k-a-wake-island/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://marshallese.org/dictionary/?langChoose=mh&input=%C4%81nen%20Kio |website=marshallese.org |title=Dictionary: ānen Kio |access-date=2021-08-28 |archive-date=2021-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828165026/http://marshallese.org/dictionary/?langChoose=mh&input=%C4%81nen%20Kio |url-status=live}}</ref> The United States does not recognize this claim.<ref name="Wake Island"/>

===Climate===

[[File:ClimateMajuroMarshallIslands.PNG|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Average monthly temperatures (red) and precipitation (blue) on [[Majuro]]]]
The climate has a relatively dry season from December to April and a [[wet season]] from May to November. Many Pacific [[typhoon]]s begin as tropical storms in the Marshall Islands region and grow stronger as they move west toward the [[Mariana Islands]] and the [[Philippines]].

Population has outstripped the supply of fresh water, usually from rainfall. The northern atolls get {{convert|50|in}} of rainfall annually; the southern atolls about twice that. The threat of drought is commonplace throughout the island chains.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/marshall-islands-climate-change_56796928e4b06fa6887ea12c |title=Perishing oO Thirst In A Pacific Paradise |access-date=December 28, 2015 |author=Peter Meligard |date=December 28, 2015 |work=Huffington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229005806/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/marshall-islands-climate-change_56796928e4b06fa6887ea12c |archive-date=December 29, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==== Climate change====
{{Main|Climate change in the Marshall Islands}}
Climate change is a threat to the Marshall Islands, with typhoons becoming stronger and sea levels rising. The sea around the Pacific islands has risen {{convert|3.4|mm|in|order=flip}} a year since 1993, which is more than twice the worldwide average rate. In [[Kwajalein Atoll|Kwajalein]], there is a high risk of permanent flooding; when [[sea level rise]]s by {{convert|1|m|ft|order=flip}}, 37% of buildings will be permanently flooded. In [[Ebeye Island|Ebeye]], the risk from sea level rise is even higher, with 50% of buildings being permanently flooded in the same scenario. With {{convert|1|m|ft|order=flip}} of sea level rise, parts of the [[Majuro|Majuro atoll]] will be permanently flooded and other parts will have a high risk of flooding especially the eastern part of the atoll would be significantly at risk. With {{convert|2|m|ft|order=flip}} sea level rise all the buildings of Majuro will be permanently flooded or will be at a high risk of being flooded.<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-10-22 |title=Adapting to rising sea levels in Marshall Islands |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8c715dcc5781421ebff46f35ef34a04d |access-date=2021-11-14 |website=ArcGIS StoryMaps |language=en-us |archive-date=2021-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114023449/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/8c715dcc5781421ebff46f35ef34a04d |url-status=live}}</ref>

The per capita {{CO2}} emissions were 2.56 t in 2020.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |author1-link=Hannah Ritchie |last2=Roser |first2=Max |author2-link=Max Roser |date=2020-05-11 |title=CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions |url=https://ourworldindata.org/co2/country/marshall-islands |journal=Our World in Data |access-date=2021-11-14 |archive-date=2021-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114135247/https://ourworldindata.org/co2/country/marshall-islands |url-status=live}}</ref> The government of Marshall Islands pledged to be net zero in 2050, with a decrease of 32% in [[Greenhouse gas|GHGs]] in 2025, 45% in 2030 and 58% in 2035, all compared to 2010 levels.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Republic of the Marshall Islands Nationally Determined Contribution |url=https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/Marshall%20Islands%20Second/20181122%20Marshall%20Islands%20NDC%20to%20UNFCCC%2022%20November%202018%20FINAL.pdf |url-status=live |website= |access-date=2021-11-14 |archive-date=2021-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102200737/https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/Marshall%20Islands%20Second/20181122%20Marshall%20Islands%20NDC%20to%20UNFCCC%2022%20November%202018%20FINAL.pdf}}</ref>

===Fauna===
{{main|List of mammals of the Marshall Islands|List of butterflies of the Marshall Islands}}

====Birds====

{{main|List of birds of the Marshall Islands}}
Most birds found in the Marshall Islands, with the exception of those few introduced by humans, are either sea birds or migratory species.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Life in Micronesia |last=Bryan |first=Edwin Horace |date=1965 |oclc=21662705 |publisher=Kwajalein Hourglass |location=Kwajalein, Marshall Islands}}</ref> There are about 70 species of birds, including 31 seabirds. 15 of these species actually nest locally. Sea birds include the [[black noddy]] and the [[white tern]].<ref name=loc>{{cite web |url=http://www.listofcountriesoftheworld.com/rm-animals.html |title=Animals in Marshall Islands |website=Listofcountriesoftheworld.com |access-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818235505/http://www.listofcountriesoftheworld.com/rm-animals.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The only land bird is the [[house sparrow]], introduced by humans.<ref name=cause>{{cite web |url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=tjM0AQAAMAAJ |page=23}}|page=23|title=Kwajalein Atoll Causeway Project, Marshall Islands, USA Permit Application, Discharge of Fill Material: Environmental Impact Statement|date=August 22, 1986 |access-date=August 22, 2017}}</ref>

====Marine====

There are about 300 species of fish, 250 of which are [[Coral reef fish|reef fish]].<ref name=loc/>
* Turtles: [[Chelonia mydas|green turtles]], [[Eretmochelys imbricata|hawksbill]], [[Leatherback sea turtle]]s, and [[Olive ridley sea turtle]]s.<ref>MIMRA. 2008, 2009, 2010. Republic of the Marshall Islands Annual Report Part 1. Information of Fisheries, Statistics and Research.  Annual Report to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Scientific Committee Fourth Regular Session.  WCPFC-SC4-AR/CCM-12. Oceanic and Industrial Affairs Division, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Majuro</ref>
* Sharks: There are at least 22 shark species including: [[Blue shark]], [[Silky shark]], [[Bigeye thresher]] shark, [[Pelagic thresher]] shark, [[Oceanic whitetip shark]], and [[Tawny nurse shark]].<ref>Bromhead, D., Clarke, S., Hoyle, S., Muller, B., Sharples, P., Harley, S. 2012. Identification of factors influencing shark catch and mortality in the Marshall Islands tuna longline fishery and management implications.  ''Journal of Fish Biology'' 80: 1870–1894</ref><ref name="dos reis">{{cite journal |author=dos Reis, M.A.F. |title=Chondrichthyan Fauna from the Pirabas Formation, Miocene of Northern Brazil, with Comments on Paleobiogeography |journal=Anuário do Instituto de Geociências |year=2005 |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=31&ndash;58 |doi=10.11137/2005_2_31-58 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

====Arthropods====

* Scorpions: [[Liocheles australasiae|dwarf wood scorpion]], and [[Isometrus maculatus|Common house scorpion]]. [[Pseudoscorpion]]s are occasionally found.<ref name=mii>{{Cite book |first=E.H. |last=Bryan |title=Life in Micronesia: Marshall Island Insects, Part 1 |publisher=Kwajalein Hourglass |date=1965 |location=Kwajalein, Marshall Islands}}</ref>
*Spiders: Two: ''[[Dictis striatipes]]'';<ref name=mii/> and ''[[Jaluiticola]]'', a [[genus (biology)|genus]] of [[Salticidae|jumping spiders]] endemic to the Marshall Islands. Its only species is ''Jaluiticola hesslei''.<ref name=NMBE>{{cite web |title=Salticidae |website=World Spider Catalog |publisher=Natural History Museum Bern| access-date=April 10, 2017 |url=http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/genus/2717| archive-date=April 10, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410133031/http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/genus/2717| url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Amphipod]]: One &ndash; ''[[Talorchestia spinipalma]]''.<ref name=mii/>
* [[Orthoptera]]: [[Blattidae|cockroaches]], [[American cockroach]]es, [[short-horned grasshopper]], [[gryllidae|cricket]]s.<ref name=mii/>
* Crabs include [[hermit crab]]s, and [[coconut crab]]s.<ref name=cause/>