The Marshall Islands consist of two chains of coral atolls, together with more than 1,000 islets, just north of the Equator.
The atolls are coral deposits on the crater rims of submerged volcanoes.
The islands were occupied by the US for several decades after World War II. They are now a sovereign nation under a Compact of Free Association with the US.
The compact came into force in 1986 and was renegotiated in 2003. The US controls the security and defence of the islands, which receive millions of dollars in aid every year.
Under the compact, the US pays an annual rent to use the Kwajalein atoll as a base and missile test range.
The legacy of the post-war US occupation is seen particularly starkly on Bikini and Enewetak, which were both used for nuclear weapons testing between 1946 and 1958.
The US paid $150 million in a compensation package for the test victims in the 1980s. But whilst Enewetak has been partly decontaminated, Bikini is still uninhabitable. The Marshall Islands has petitioned for additional compensation.
A major problem for the islands is how to gain some measure of financial independence from the US. Imports dwarf exports, unemployment is high and many islanders live by subsistence farming.
Tourism is one option; unspoiled beaches abound and the islands are an ideal base for scuba diving and sports fishing. The islands also sell fishing rights to other countries, and offer ship registrations under the Marshall Islands flag.
President: Litokwa Tomeing
Former parliament speaker Litokwa Tomeing was chosen as president in January 2008.
His selection followed a "chaotic" election in November 2007 which failed to produce a clear winner. Mr Tomeing defected from the former president Kessai Note's United Democratic Party to the Aelon Kein Ad (Our Islands) party.
Before being selected as president, Mr Tomeing had said he favoured switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.
But he appeared to backtrack when he appointed Tony deBrum as foreign minister, who held the post when the Marshall Islands first recognised Taiwan ten years earlier.
Mr deBrum said the Marshall Islands "cherished" its ties with Taiwan, which responded with a multi-million dollar grant to the Marshall Islands' ailing national airline.
Opponents accused both countries of "chequebook diplomacy".
The government generally respects freedom of speech and of the media, although journalists occasionally practice self-censorship on sensitive political issues.
A privately-owned weekly newspaper is published in both English and the Marshallese language. The government's monthly contains official news but avoids political coverage.
State-owned and private radio stations offer diverse views. American forces radio and TV broadcasts can be received in some areas. US TV channels are available via cable.
The press
Television
Radio
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