Location

Oceania, Among a group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean about midway between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea, On the northern end of the Ratak Chain Archipelago of the Marshall Islands.

Geographic Coordinates

14.80 N Latitude 169.39 E Longitude

Map References

Oceania 14, in the Marshall Islands Region of the North Pacific Ocean

Area

Land: 62.4 sq km, rank 18  lagoon: 78.04 sq km, rank 23  ratio of land to lagoon: 4:5 ratio, rank 7  number of inlets: 11  altitude: 5 m elevation, 3.2 sq km, sea level rise risk: 9  island type: crescent atoll with 14 inlets Natural Protection indicator: 5  nearest island: 300 km, group:1400 km, in proximity to the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, and Kwajalein  nearest contintent: Asia Distance, 4000 km, isolation index: 118  Land boundaries: foreign lands seperated by sea Geology/soils: dry and stony  Coastline: 37.4 km

Maritime claims

Contiguous zone: 24 nm  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm  territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate

The Taongi atoll lies within the Northeast Trade Winds, thus there are steady winds from the northeast bringing mostly fair weather from November through June. The rainy season is from July to November and has a great deal of fair weather but the trades weaken then and come from the east. Total yearly rainfall is estimated at about 45 inches. Typhoons (known elsewhere as hurricanes or cyclones) seldom originate in or pass over this area, and gales are infrequent coming from the southeast when they occur . There is little variation in temperature throughout the year with a minimum of 71 degrees F and maximum of 98 degrees F, a high mean temperature of 83 degrees F and a low mean of 81 degrees F.

Terrain

The southeast “ratak” or “sunrise” side of Taongi atoll has the vegetation covered islands that remain as high as 20 feet above sea level which is similar to the elevation of the capital of the Marshall Islands, Majuro Atoll, some 425 miles south of Taongi. The small islands of Taongi, the longest, at least 5 miles in length, are part of the coral reef that surrounds the central lagoon of 30 square miles. These reefs are in the form of a fat comma opening to the west on which side exists the only break in the reef where a boat may pass safely into the lagoon. Made up of the skeletal remains of countless small marine plants and animals that found a home on this formerly volcanic island or sea mountain, the reef has gradually built up as sea level changed, or the islands subsided, and now provide land area of 1.25 square miles for tall trees, and breeding grounds for migratory birds and turtles. There are at least 500 acres of real estate ready for development under the administration of the Dominion of Melchizedek. While few forms of wildlife occupy the land, marine life in the lagoon and the surrounding ocean is abundant. A recent visitor flying over the Taongi Atoll reported the lagoon to be beautiful with sandy beaches and, with the tide going out, waterfalls miles long were formed by the water flowing over the reef back into the sea. Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99%, Mangrove: 2%. Major seabird rookery, turtle nesting area.

Elevation

Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 ft  highest point: unnamed location 5 mt

Natural Resources

Phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals, aquatic animals and fish.

Land Use

Arable land: NA%  permanent crops: NA%  permanent pastures: NA%  forests and woodland: NA%  other: 40%  Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural Hazards

Occasional typhoons originate from, but do not strike Taongi, threat indicator: 1

Environment Issues

Questionable supplies of potable water and Radiation due to Nuclear Testing done during WWII on nearby Islands within the Marshall Islands.

Geography

Taongi atoll is one of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands positioned among two archipelagic island chains — the Ralik and Ratak Chains. In proximity are Bikini and Enewetak Atolls, former US nuclear test sites; and Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, which is now used as a US missile test range.

Human Occupation

Development planned.

Human Impacts

Japanese relay station and bomb dump destroyed in 1944.

Protected areas

Protected area coverage indicators – Terrestrial: 7, Marine: 0, protected by order since 1958 (324 ha).

Government Type

Unitarian Democracy

National Capital

N/A

Administrative Divisions

Taongi Atoll Authority

Independence

1991

National Holiday

Declaration of Sovereignty of the Dominion of Melchizedek, July 18, 1991

Charter

New Charter Instituted in 2012

Legal System

Legislation is Created, discussed and approved by the Sovereign Members of the Body-Politic of the Dominion of Melchizedek, executed by the Executive Branch with the Body-Politic acting as the Judicial Branch of the Dominion of Melchizedek when Convened for the purpose of adjudication matters involving or related to the Dominion of Melchizedek.

Age of Reason

18 years of age; universal.

Nationality

Melchizedekian

Ethnic Groups

Various.

Religion

The Law of Nations

Languages

English

Literacy

All Members of the DoM are literate.

Government

The Government of the Dominion of Melchizedek consists of three branches.

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is made up of the senior Officials of the Dominion of Melchizedek, namely the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other Ministerial Positions.

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch is comprised of the Sovereign Members of the Body-Politic which is the governing body of the Dominion of Melchizedek pursuant to the newly instituted Charter of 2012.

Judicial Branch

The Judiciary is likewise made up of the Sovereign Members of the Body-Politic when convened specifically to hear and judge case’s relating to matters of the Dominion of Melchizedek and its Members.

Diplomatic Representation in the US

N/A

Diplomatic Representation from the United States

N/A

Flag Description

Gold crown with gold and silver seal of Solomon, silver crescent moon and star centered by gold cross with white dove of peace and silver seal of eternity in atmosphere above those three symbols of the great three monotheistic religions. Original flag was angled gray cross overlapped with blue Star of David and a golden crown.

Economy

The Economy of the Dominion of Melchizedek is Varied. Since we currently do not export raw material or manufacture material goods, most of our members own businesses within their particular expertise. Education through DoM University, Education in International Law, Nutrition and wellness, Small Venture Start ups, Self Sustainable Communities, Community development, sustainable agriculture using aquaponics, and Business Development.  Through the various businesses our members own and operate and with our networks in various countries, DoM has the ability to help many developing countries as we move into a more sustainable future for ourselves and our fellow brethren.

Economic Overview:

As The Dominion of Melchizedek moves into the future we see much growth within our economy.  With major projects being discussed and prepared in multiple countries including: Nigeria, Liberia, Uganda, Ghana, Dominican Republic, Equatorial New Guinea, and others.   Security is a major issue in many countries and development of roads, infrastructure, and housing is becoming a focal point in countries where capital is high, but skill and availability of resources is low; DoM and its Members are in a position to offer assistance in these much sought after aspects of any great society.  Because of this, our overall economy will grow.  Major areas of focus are : Education, Agriculture, Community Development, and Humanitarian Aid.

Agriculture

DoM does not currently have an agricultural presence outside of helping other nations develop there own agricultural industry.

 Industries

Education

Security

Agricultural Development

Sustainable housing and development

Sustainable Energy Development

 Economic Aid

Recipient: NONE

Currency

DoM does not have it’s own currency. Instead DoM uses the World’s Reserve Currency.

International Disputes

http://micronations.wikia.com/wiki/Dominion_of_Melchizedek

“The Marshall Islands originally acknowledged the DoM’s sovereignty. However, after allegations of illegality were raised by the U.S. State Department, the Marshall Islands issued a diplomatic note to other nations, urging nations friendly to it not to recognize claims of DoM in the Marshall Islands. The recognized Iroijlaplap (chief) of Taongi was later quoted on an Australian television current affairs program as saying he had granted DoM a 50-year “sovereign lease” over the Taongi Atoll island. However, the Marshall Islands now argues that sovereignty over the atoll (as opposed to land title) belongs to the Marshall Islands and not to private citizens, therefore the Iroijlaplap’s action should be considered a nullity. The DoM asserts that historical maps and territorial claims by the Marshall Islands did not include the Taongi Atoll island until the U.S. State Department interceded in the mid nineties. Although a dispute between the DoM and the Marshall Islands exists concerning the status of the DoM’s “sovereignty,” the DoM continues to assert physical possession and governmental rule over Taongi with no challenge by the Marshall Islands, the United States or any other nation.