POPULATION 73,630
CHRISTIAN 90 percent
OTHER 10 percent

Country Overview

Introduction

The Republic of the Marshall Islands consists of 29 low-lying coral atolls, along with other islands and islets, in the central Pacific Ocean. Two-thirds of the people live on two atolls: Majuro, the political center, and Kwajalein, a U.S. nuclear testing facility. The islands have been settled for approximately 2,000 years.

Beginning in the nineteenth century the islands came under European control, and Christianity was introduced. Some 80 percent of the population is Protestant, and 10 percent is Roman Catholic. There are smaller numbers of other faiths, including Bahais and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Religious Tolerance

The constitution of the Marshall Islands expresses a strong adherence to Christian principles. There is tolerance, however, of non-Christian faiths.

Major Religion

Christianity

DATE OF ORIGIN 1857 C.E.
NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS 66,000

History

Indigenous beliefs that had persisted in the...