The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina.
The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833.
After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association.
Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the atolls between 1947 and 1962.
The Marshall Islands have been home to the US Army Base Kwajalein (USAKA) since 1964.
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War.
The islands attained their independence in 1946 after Japanese occupation in World War II.
Last Updated 02/03/2005, 18:40:58 The Philippines reportedly says a dispute with China over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea has been settled.China's Xinhua news agency quotes visiting Fore...
