Global Travel Information "Designed by Travellers ... for Travellers"

Kiribati

General Information about Kiribati

Kiribati is an island nation comprised of a raised coral island and 32 atolls that is located in the tropical centre of the South Pacific. The name Kiribati is the local form of 'Gilberts' and is a derivative of Kiribati's pre-independence name Gilbert Islands. Kiribati has a population of over 107,000 people. The official languages spoken in Kiribati are English and I-Kiribati. Gilbertese is also spoken. The two main religions followed in Kiribati are Roman Catholic and Protestant. Other religions such as Seventh-Day Adventist and Muslim have small minority followings. Kiribati's capital and largest city is South Tarawa which is located on the Tarawa Atoll and is also known as Teinainano which translates to 'down the mast'. South Tarawa has a population of over 28,000 people.

Some of the most popular islands of Kiribati to visit are Abaiang, or 'north land', which has a Catholic Church, Butaritari which is home to a Japanese seaplane wreckage and has a fascinating World War II history and Abemama. Abemama still has a 'Royal Family' and was declared a Crown Colony by the United Kingdom in 1911. The island is also home to a species of yellow 'barking' frog. The Kiribati Islands also have many fantastic beaches with white sand and clear waters. There are excellent place to snorkel and go deep-sea fishing and there are also charter boats that go across the Tarawa Lagoon. Game fishing is one of the most popular activities and is particularly popular on Christmas Island.

Climate

Find Out About The Climate In Kiribati

The climate of Kiribati can be described as maritime tropical with hot and mild humidity weather conditions. The best months to visit Kiribati is during March and October which when the trade winds begin to blow. If your planning a trip between December and May be prepared for some wet weather as this is the wet season, particularly in the northern islands. November through to February are the wettest months with the highest humidity levels occurring during this period. The average annual temperature sits around 28 degrees with cyclones being common between December and March.

Geography

Geographical Information On Kiribati

Kiribati which is pronounced as 'keer-ih-bahs' and is officially known as the Republic of Kiribati has a total area of 811 square kilometres that spans across the Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. Kiribati has an extensive coastline that runs for over 1,143 kilometres that is surrounded by beautiful reefs and low lying coral atolls. Kiribati also boasts the world's largest coral atoll. Kiribati's terrain is mostly low lying with its highest point rising to just 81 metres and remains unnamed today and can be found on Banaba Island. The island of Banaba has a small population of just over 300 people but is one the of three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Economy

Learn About The Economy In Kiribati

Due to a shortage of natural resources the economy of Kiribati relies heavily on it's exports of fish and copra exports which is the dried meat, or kernel of the coconut. Tourism is also important to the economy and provides over one fifth of the national GD. The agricultural industry only provides just over nine percent of the economy while just employing 2.7 of the population. Over 65 percent of the population are recorded as working in the service industry while the remaining are employed in the industry sector. Kiribati has an unemployment rate of 2 percent in 1992 while approximately 70 percent of the population were recorded as being underemployed. Kiribati receives financial aid mainly from the UK and Japan.. The official currency of Kiribati is the Australian Dollar.

Must Explore would like to wish you an enjoyable stay in Kiribati.

BACK TO TOP