KI
The Republic of Kiribati is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. The country's 33 atolls are scattered over 3800 km2 near the equator. Its name is pronounced /kiribas/ and is a Micronesian transliteration of "Gilberts", the English name for the main group of islands: the former Gilbert Islands.
History
Main article: History of Kiribati
Since 1892, the Gilbert Islands was a British protectorate together with the nearby Ellice Islands. They became a colony in 1916 and then autonomous in 1971.
In 1978, the Ellice Islands became the independent nation of Tuvalu, followed by Kiribati independence in 1979.
With independence, the United States relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line islands which became part of Kiribati territory.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Kiribati
The parliament of Kiribati, called Maneaba ni Maungatabu is elected every four years, and consists of 36 representatives.
The president is both head of state and head of government, and is called Beretitenti.
Each of the 21 inhabited islands has a local council that takes care of the daily affairs.
Districts
Main article: Districts of Kiribati
Kiribati is divided into 6 districts:
Geography
Main article: Geography of Kiribati
Kiribati consists of three archipelagos;
the Gilbert Islands (16 atolls) located some 1500 km north of Fiji,
the Phoenix Islands (8 atolls) located some 1800 km southeast of the Gilberts, and the Line Islands (9 atolls) located about 3300 km east of the Gilberts.
The Line Islands also include Jarvis Island, Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll, but these are uninhabited and remain under United States administration.
The principal islands (islands and reefs indicated by *) and atolls of each archipelago are:
- Gilbert Islands: Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kuria, Little Makin, Maiana, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tamana, Tarawa
- Phoenix Islands : Abariringa, Birnie*, Enderbury, Manra, Nikumaroro, Orona, Rawaki, Winslow Reef*
- Line Islands: Caroline*, Filippo Reef*, Flint Island*, Kiritimati, Malden Island*, Starbuck Island*, Tabuaeran, Teraina, Vostok Island*
Most of the land in Kiribati consists of the sand and reef rock islets of atolls that rise but a few meters above sea level. The soil is thin and calcareous, making agriculture very difficult.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Kiribati
Kiribati has few natural resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence.
Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports.
The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years.
Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets.
Tourism provides more than one-fifth of GDP.
Foreign financial aid, largely from the United Kingdom and Japan, is a critical supplement to GDP, equal to 25%-50% of GDP in recent years.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Kiribati
While English is the official language, I-Kiribati,
the native Micronesian language, is widely spoken. Christianity is the major religion in the country, although mixed with many practices of the indigenous religions.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Kiribati
Miscellaneous topics
External Links
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