World Atlas: Kiribati. On this page you can see the map, country flag and many detailed information about the people, history and economy of Kiribati.
Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Kiribati. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Kiribati. But let's start with the flag of Kiribati here:
Kiribati - Overview:
What you should know about Kiribati? Let's start with this: The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and a colony in 1915; they were captured by the Japanese in the Pacific War in 1941. The islands of Makin and Tarawa were the sites of major US amphibious victories over entrenched Japanese garrisons in 1943. The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati.
Geography of Kiribati
Where on the globe is Kiribati? The location of this country is Oceania, group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. Total area of Kiribati is 811 sq km, of which 811 sq km is land. So this is quite a small country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs. The lowest point of Kiribati is Pacific Ocean 0 m, the highest point unnamed elevation on Banaba 81 m. And the climate is tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds.
Inhabitants of Kiribati
Let's take a look how many people live in Kiribati. The number is: 108,145 (July 2017 est.). So not so many people live here. Who lives here? I-Kiribati 96.2%, I-Kiribati/mixed 1.8%, Tuvaluan 0.2%, other 1.8% (2015 est.). What are the languages in Kiribati? I-Kiribati, English (official). And the religions: Roman Catholic 57.3%, Kiribati Uniting Church 31.3%, Mormon 5.3%, Baha'i 2.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.9%, other 2.1% (2015 est.). How old are the people in average? 24.6 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 66.5 years. Where the people live in Kiribati? Here: consists of three achipelagos spread out over an area roughly the size of India; the eastern Line Islands and central Phoenix Islands are sparsely populated, but the western Gilbert Islands are some of the most densely settled places on earth, with the main island of South Tarawa boasting a population density similar to Tokyo or Hong Kong. The major urban areas of Kiribati are: Tarawa (capital) 46,000 (2014).
Government and Economy of Kiribati
The capital of Kiribati is Tarawa and the government type presidential republic. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 3 geographical units: Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions, but there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina). Regarding the economy of Kiribati, important industrial products are fishing, handicrafts. Important agricultural products are copra, breadfruit, fish. The most important export commodities are fish, coconut products and the most important export partners are Morocco 19.8%, Fiji 17.3%, Philippines 10.2%, US 10.1%, Vietnam 7.9%, Australia 4.2% (2016). The most important import commodities are food, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel and the most important import partners are Australia 22.9%, NZ 20.9%, Fiji 14.1%, Singapore 10.5%, Japan 8.1%, China 6.9% (2016). How rich is Kiribati and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $1,900 (2017 est.). This is a very low number. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: NA%.