According to petwithsupplies, the Republic of the Marshall Islands is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, with a population of around 53,000 people. It consists of 29 atolls and 5 isolated islands and is divided into two main administrative divisions, the Ratak Chain and the Ralik Chain. The country’s capital city is Majuro, which is located in the Ratak Chain. Majuro is the largest city in the Marshall Islands with a population of about 27,000 people as of 2020. Located on Majuro Atoll, it serves as both an administrative center as well as a hub for business and trade. It has one of the busiest harbors in Micronesia and houses a large number of government offices, banks, hotels, restaurants and other businesses. The second largest city in the Marshall Islands is Ebeye Island City which has a population of nearly 10,000 people. This city serves as an important economic center for its region due to its close proximity to Kwajalein Atoll which hosts one of America’s most important military bases in this part of the world. Other important cities include Wotje Island (population: 2,400), Jaluit Atoll (population: 1,700) and Rongelap Atoll (population: 1,100). These cities are mainly fishing villages that provide sustenance to their local populations through subsistence fishing and trading activities. They are also home to some tourist attractions such as beaches and ancient ruins that attract visitors from all over the world. All these cities have something unique to offer visitors who come to explore this diverse country with its picturesque harbours, fishing villages and ancient temples respectively. In 2008, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) was a strategic ally of the United States and a member of the United Nations. The RMI has a long history of political and economic ties with the US, which is reflected in its close relationship with Washington. The RMI is a party to several international agreements, including the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It has also ratified several treaties related to maritime security and arms control. At that time, US-RMI relations were strong as both countries had strong military ties. The US maintained military bases in Kwajalein Atoll and Majuro Atoll in order to monitor missile launchings by North Korea. In addition, both countries signed an agreement that allowed US forces access to RMI airspace for their operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008, the RMI was also engaged in a number of regional initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability in East Asia-Pacific region. These include initiatives such as Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), which strengthens regional cooperation between island nations; Micronesian Chiefs Conference (MCC), which provides an opportunity for leaders from island nations to discuss important issues; and Pacific Partnership Forum (PPF), which seeks to promote economic development among Pacific Island states. At that time, China had started increasing its presence in East Asia-Pacific region by investing heavily in infrastructure projects such as ports and airports throughout the region. This led some commentators to suggest that China was seeking greater influence over smaller nations such as RMI through its economic engagement policy. However, this did not appear to be having any material impact on US-RMI relations during this period as both countries continued their close partnership based on shared interests in security and development initiatives. Check payhelpcenter for Marshall Islands in 2008.