MAJURO ATOLL 07°09'N 171°12'E MARSHALL ISLAND DISTRICT General Majuro Atoll belongs in the Ratak Group and is part of the Marshall Island District of the U. N. Trust Territory of the Pacific, which is administered by the U. S. Department of Interior. The headquarters for the Marshall Island District is located on the Island of Majuro. Physical Data The atoll is roughly rectangular in shape; it is approximately nauticalmi. long by 5-1/2-mi. wide. It contains about 45 islands, comprising a total land area of 3-1/2 sq.mi.; the area of the enclosed lagoon is about 113 sq.mi. The maximum elevation is less than 15-ft., and the average elevation is 8 to 10-ft. The highest points are low sand dunes on the reef sides of the more windward (eastern) islands. Few islands are more than 400-yds. in width (widest - Dalap/550-yds., Djarit/500-yds., and western end of Majuro Island/1,200-yds.). Majuro Island, is nearly 13-mi. long, although in places it has a width of less than 75-yds. The most important islands are at the eastern end of the atoll where 5 islands have been joined by causeways to make a single easily accessible unit. The reef fringing the atoll varies from 150 to 300-yds. in width with one major opening, Calalin Channel, midway along the northern portion of the reef. The channel lies close to Eroj Island with a minimum depth of 49-ft. and a width of 350-yds. The eastern end of the lagoon is completely land locked offering excellent and extensive anchorages. All the islands bear a moderate to heavy cover of coconut palms, restricted to the central and lagoon side areas. A thick to very dense scrub from 10 to 30-ft.-tall usually backs the beach on the reef side and is frequently used as a protective barrier against wind and salt spray; its composition includes Scaveola, Messerschmidia, Wedelia and Ipomea species. Climate Majuro has a tropical marine climate with a high annual rainfall of approximately 14Q-in. Much of the rain comes in the form of sharp, short, ; ° ; and often violent squalls. The mean annual temperature is about 82°F, with an average daily variation of between 12°-13°F. The relative humidity averages 82 to 85%. Northeast trade winds blow between December and April. From May to December, easterly to southeasterly winds are common. Facilities There is a store, hotel, seven large warehouses, a modern hospital, communications, anda 5,600-ft. airstrip on the atoll. Trust Territory Contract aircraft make connections at Guam, Saipan, and Kwajalein on a once-a-week schedule. A 186-ft. pier with depths of 35 to 40-ft. alongside is located on Uliga Island. There are 5, 7, and 9-ton mobile cranes available. Coral roads connect the eastern islands, including the northern end of Rairok Island. At low tide, it is possible to cross the reef to Majuro Island and drive all the way to the western end of the atoll. Water supplies are limited. 45-1 VOL Ii April 1969