Marshall Islands
a group of islands in the W. Pacific, bisected by lat. 10° N., having the Caroline group to the W., and consisting of two parallel chains of low coral reefs-one, the Ratak group, consisting of 15 islands, and measuring in all 48 square miles; the other, the Ralik group, 18 islands, with a total area of 107 square miles. Total pop. of group (1920) about 15,000, nearly all natives; most populous island, Maie- THOMAS R. MARSHALL ru; several of the islands are uninhabited.
The cocoanut and pandanus palms and the bread-fruit tree are the principal sources of food, besides fish. Copra is the only export. The inhabitants belong to the Micronesian division, and are an ugly but good-natured cured and hospitable race, fond of song and dance, and skilful weavers of bast mats. These islands were annexed by Germany in 1885, but by the Treaty of Versailles were awarded to Australia.
MARSHALLTOWN