Bikini Atoll, Nuclear test site atoll in Marshall Islands
Bikini Atoll is a ring of coral islands enclosing a lagoon that covers 594 square kilometers (229 square miles) in the Pacific Ocean. The outer reef forms a barrier to the open sea, while the inner waters remain calm and contain several sunken ships from past experiments.
The United States military used this location for 23 nuclear weapon tests between 1946 and 1958, forcing the complete evacuation of the local population. The tests left lasting contamination that continues to prevent the displaced community from returning home.
The original inhabitants were relocated to other islands and continue to preserve their memories and connection to this place through oral tradition and community gatherings. For them, the atoll represents a homeland they cannot return to, a loss that shapes their identity and relationship with the broader Pacific region.
Entry requires special permits and organized tours because of radiation concerns and the need to protect historical remains. Visitors must arrange authorization well in advance and can only explore designated areas of the lagoon under strict supervision.
The lagoon floor holds multiple warships that were deliberately sunk during testing, including aircraft carriers and battleships that now form artificial reefs. These wrecks attract divers interested in exploring the rare combination of military history and underwater ecosystems.
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