The Republic of Kiribati, the island nation is situated in the central Pacific Ocean. The archipelago comprises three island groups- Gilbert Islands, Phoenix Islands, and Line Islands and a raised coral island- Banaba Island. These island groups are further divided into 32 atolls. Banaba is one of the 3rd largest phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean. South Tarawa is the capital of Kiribati.
HISTORY:- Kiribati was first inhabited by the Austronesian-speaking peoples. Tonga and Fiji invaders migrated into the land in the 14th century. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the British and American ships first spotted the islands. In 1837, British settled in the island. In 1915, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands became the British crown colony together. Kiritimati Island joined them in 1919. Phoenix Islands were incorporated with Kiribati in 1937. Gilbert Island groups were occupied by Japan during the World War II. In 1975, The Gilbert Islands and Ellice Islands were split and were granted autonomy. Kiribati gained independence in 1979.
GEOGRAPHY:- Kiribati is located at 1 25 N, 173 00 E in the Oceania. It comprises 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator. Kiribati archipelago consists of 3 island groups and an insolated island named Banaba Island. The three island groups are Gilbert Islands (16 atolls), Phoenix Islands (8 atolls), and Line Islands (8 atolls). Kiribati occupies total 811 sq km area on the Ocean. The coastline is 1,143 km long bordering the Pacific Ocean. The lowest point is Pacific Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is an unnamed location on Banaba Island (81 m). Kiribati is mostly composed of sand, and low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Kiribati archipelago varies from tropical to marine. Basically the islands are hot and humid and sometimes moderate by the trade winds.
GOVERNMENT:- Kiribati is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 12th July 1979. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state, head of government), the Vice President, and the cabinet. The President is elected by a popular vote and he appoints the Vice President. The 12-member cabinet is appointed by the president among the members of the House of Parliament.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral House of Parliament (46 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Court of Appeal, the High Court, and the 26 Magistrates' courts. All the judges are appointed by the President.
Boutokaan Te Koaua Party, Maneaban Te Mauri Party, Maurin Kiribati Pati, National Progressive Party are the prominent political parties of Kiribati. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
Boutokaan Te Koaua Party, Maneaban Te Mauri Party, Maurin Kiribati Pati, National Progressive Party are the prominent political parties of Kiribati. Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President Anote Tong
Vice President Teima Onorio
Vice President Teima Onorio
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Kiribati is divided in 3 units, 6 districts, and 21 island councils.
UNIT:- Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands.
DISTRICT:- Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, and Tarawa.
ISLAND COUNCIL:- Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, and Teraina.
CULTURE:- Songs and dances are the two major characteristics of the culture of the archipelago of Kiribati.
ECONOMY:- The archipelago has some natural resources. Tourism provides 20% of the total GDP. Unskilled work force, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from the international markets are major the constraints to the economic development. Copra and fish are the sources of major foreign earnings to Kiribati.
GDP/PPP (2006 est.): $240 million; per capita $1,000.
Real growth rate: 0.3%.
Inflation: 0.5%.
Unemployment: 2%
Under-employment 70% (1992 est.).
Arable land: 3%.
Agriculture: Copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish.
Labor force: 7,870; economically active, not including subsistence farmers (2001 est.); agriculture: 2.7%; industry: 32%; services: 65.3% (2000).
Industries: Fishing, handicrafts.
Budget:
Revenues: $55.52 million
Expenditures: $59.71 million (FY05)
Revenues: $55.52 million
Expenditures: $59.71 million (FY05)
Debt - external: $10 million (1999 est.)
Natural resources: Phosphate (production discontinued in 1979).
Exports: $17 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): copra 62%, coconuts, seaweed, fish.
Exports - partners: US 22.8%, Belgium 21.5%, Japan 14.3%, Samoa 7.8%, Australia 7.5%, Malaysia 6.7%, Taiwan 5.6%, Denmark 4.6% (2006)
Imports: $62 million c.i.f. (2004): foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel.
Imports - partners: Australia 33%, Fiji 27.1%, Japan 18.1%, NZ 6.9% (2006)
Major trading partners: France, Japan, U.S., Thailand, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand (2004).
Monetary unit: Australian dollar
LANGUAGE:- I-Kiribati (Gilbertese), English are the official languages of Kiribati.
CITIES:- The capital of Kiribati, Tarawa is the largest city of the archipelago as well.
POPULATION:- In the Gilbert Islands, majority of the population resides. Out of 8 atolls, 5 atolls- Malden Island, Starbuck Island, Caroline Island, Vostok Island and Flint Island of the Line Islands are inhabited. Only Kanton is inhabited in the Phoenix Islands. Banaba Island is lightly populated these days. The estimated population of Kiribati is 107,817 with a growth rate of 2.2%.
Density per sq mi: 389
Literacy rate: NA.
Density per sq mi: 389
Literacy rate: NA.
RACE:-
Micronesian 98.8%
Other 1.2% (2000)
Micronesian 98.8%
Other 1.2% (2000)
RELIGION:-
Roman Catholic 52%
Protestant (Congregational) 40%
Other (includes Seventh-Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, Church of God) 8%
(1999)
Roman Catholic 52%
Protestant (Congregational) 40%
Other (includes Seventh-Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, Church of God) 8%
(1999)
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 30.31 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 7.97 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 44.69 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.85 years
Total fertility rate: 4.08 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 283
Birth rate: 30.31 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 7.97 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 44.69 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.85 years
Total fertility rate: 4.08 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 283
UNICEF:- UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme fights against violence against children. UNICEF and its partners provide psychosocial support to conflict-affected children. UNICEF’s Adolescent Development and Child Health Programme promote awareness on HIV among the youth, trains the youth to enhance their skills. Teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and trafficking of children are the major issues with the country and these issues are frankly discussed in assistance of UNICEF and other government and non-government organizations. UNICEF supplies vaccines at a low cost by buying them in major quantities.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 670 km (1999 est.); paved: n.a.; unpaved: n.a.
Waterways: Small network of canals, totaling 5 km, in Line Islands.
Ports and harbors: Banaba, Betio, English Harbor, Kanton.
Airports: 19 (2007).
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 670 km (1999 est.); paved: n.a.; unpaved: n.a.
Waterways: Small network of canals, totaling 5 km, in Line Islands.
Ports and harbors: Banaba, Betio, English Harbor, Kanton.
Airports: 19 (2007).
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