The Marshall Islands is are located near the equator in the Pacific Ocean, slightly west of the International Date Line.

Geographically, the country is part of the larger island group of Micronesia.Micronesian colonists gradually settle the Marshall Islands during the 2nd millennium BCE, with inter-island navigation made possible using traditional stick charts.

Islands in the archipelago are first explored by Europeans in the 1520s, with Spanish explorer Alonso de Salazar sighting an atoll in August 1526.

Other expeditions by Spanish and English ships follow.

The islands derive their name from British explorer John Marshall, who visita in 1788.

The islands were historically known by the inhabitants as "jolet jen Anij" (Gifts from God).

The European powers recognize the islands as part of the Spanish East Indies in 1874.