Kiribati

Republic of Kiribati

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: 'Maaka te atua, karinea te uea; mataku i te atua, fakamamalu ki te tupu (I-Kiribati: Fear the God, respect the king)
Official language	English
Capital	Tarawa
President	Anote Tong
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 172nd 717 km² 0%
Population  - Total (2001)  - Density	Ranked 195th 94,149 131/km²
Independence	July 12, 1979
Currency	Australian dollar
Time zone	UTC +12, +13, +14
National anthem	Teirake Kaini Kiribati
Internet TLD	.KI
Calling Code	686

History

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

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

Kiribati is divided into 6 districts:

• Banaba
• Central Gilberts
• Line Islands
• Northern Gilberts
• Southern Gilberts
• Tarawa

Geography

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

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

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

• Music of Kiribati

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Kiribati
• Transportation in Kiribati
• Military of Kiribati
• Foreign relations of Kiribati

External Links

• myMicronesia/Kiribati section
• http://www.collectors.co.nz/kiribati/index.html

Referenced By