Portal:Oceania/Daily article/11
The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is a Micronesian island nation in the western Pacific Ocean. The country consists of 29 atolls and 5 isolated islands. The most important atolls and islands form two groups: the Ratak Chain and the Ralik Chain (meaning "sunrise" and "sunset" chains).
Two-thirds of the nation's population of 56,429 (2003) lives on Majuro (which is also the capital) and Ebeye. The outer islands are sparsely populated due to lack of employment opportunities and economic development. Life on the outer atolls is generally still fairly traditional.