Kili Island

Kili Island
Map of Kili Island.png
NASA Astronaut Photography image of Kili Island
Map of Kili Island.png
Map of the island
Kili Island is located in Marshall Islands
Kili Island
Kili Island
Geography
LocationNorth Pacific
Coordinates5°38′46″N 169°07′42″E / 5.64611°N 169.12833°E / 5.64611; 169.12833
ArchipelagoRalik
Total islands1
Area0.93 km2 (0.36 sq mi)
Highest elevation3 m (10 ft)
Administration
Marshall Islands
Demographics
Population415 (2021)
Ethnic groupsMarshallese
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Kili Island or Kili Atoll (Marshallese: Kōle, [kɤlʲe][1]) is a small, 81 hectares (200 acres) (0.93 square kilometers (0.36 sq mi)) island located in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. As of 2021, 415 people lived on the island,[2] many of whom were descended from islanders who originally lived on Bikini Atoll. They were relocated when they agreed to let the U.S. government temporarily use Bikini for nuclear testing in 1945, which they were told was of great importance to humankind,[3] though it is sometimes considered a forced relocation.[4] Kili Island became their home after two prior relocations failed. The island does not have a natural lagoon and cannot produce enough food to enable the islanders to be self-sufficient. It is part of the legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. The island is approximately 48 kilometers (30 mi) southwest of Jaluit. It is a good sized island for the Marshall Islands, but it is not an atoll with a lagoon.

  1. ^ Marshallese-English Dictionary – Place Name Index
  2. ^ "Republic of the Marshall Islands 2021 Census Report, Volume 1: Basic Tables and Administrative Report" (PDF). Pacific Community (SPC): Statistics for Development Division. Pacific Community. May 30, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  3. ^ "Commodore Ben H. Wyatt addressing the Bikini Island natives". americanhistory.si.edu. Retrieved 2024-07-27.
  4. ^ Kiste, Robert C. (1974). The Bikinians : a study in forced migration (PDF). Menlo Park, Calif.: Cummings Pub. Co. ISBN 0846537524. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2024.