• Solomon Islands!

    Solomon Islands: Looking up at palm trees. Go Now!

    Solomon Islands
    This Melanesian country is best known for its many islands and beaches... and this natural landscape (pictured) is why most people go. Don't miss out on the unique Melanesian culture and foods though! Begin Your Journey!

  • Tonga!

    Tonga: Coastline. Go Now!

    Tonga
    The heart of Polynesian culture is rooted in Tonga, but most visitors just come for the natural beauty. Explore Tonga!

  • Vanuatu!

    Vanuatu: Jetty into the ocean. Go Now!

    Vanuatu
    Picturesque serenity is a good way to describe Vanuatu, but the culture offers much more, including the inspiration for bungee jumping, which remains a rite of passage for young men. Explore Vanuatu!

  • Palau!

    Palau: "70 Islands!" Go Now!

    Palau
    Few people have even heard of this small Micronesian country, but those who have often return with stories of beauty unmatched elsewhere, such as view of the "70 Islands" (pictured). Go Now!

  • Explore the: Federated States of Micronesia!

    Federated States of Micronesia: Overlooking some islands. Go Now!

    Federated States of Micronesia
    This diverse country stretches for thousands of miles and has the diversity to prove it, including the people from Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Yap among others. Begin Your Journey!

  • Samoa!

    Samoa: A traditional home. Go Now!

    Samoa
    Among the most famous of the South Pacific's many countries, Samoa sits in the heart of Polynesia and has a culture to match. Begin Your Journey!

Ethnicity, Language, & Religion of the Marshall Islands

Ethnicity

Nearly everyone living in the Marshall Islands is ethnically Marshallese, which is one of many sub-groups that fall under the definition of being Micronesian. The Micronesian people are a combination of Melanesian, Polynesian, and Filipino, but every individual group of Micronesians are more strongly tied to differing groups as some have more similarities to the Polynesians linguistically, ethnically, and culturally, while others are more closely tied to the Filipinos, or Melanesians. Nearly everyone in the Marshall Islands belongs to the same sub-group of Micronesians and their closest relatives are likely the Pohnpeians of the Federated States of Micronesia and the people of the Gilbert Islands in Kiribati.

Language

Marshallese is the official language of the Marshall Islands and nearly everyone speaks this language natively. English is also officially recognized and is the most commonly spoken second language, especially in the tourist industry.

Marshallese is a part of the Micronesian language group, which includes Gilbertese, Chuukese, Kosraean, Pohnpeian, and Nauruan among others. Despite being a small country, Marshallese has two distinct dialects, each spoken on one of the two main island chains in the country: the Ralik Chain and the Ratak Chain. Marshallese's closest relative is probably Pohnpeian, which is spoken in the eastern parts of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Religion

Nearly everyone in the Marshall Islands is Christian with most of the people adhering to Protestantism in some form. Catholics make up about 10% of the population, Mormons another 2% and about 2% of the people are atheist.

This page was last updated: May, 2014