Kiribati — Country and Tourist Information
Country Facts
- Location
- South Pacific, Micronesia.
- Language
- Kiribati and English.
- Area
- 810.5 sq km (312.9 sq miles).
- Time Zone
- Christmas (Line) Islands: GMT +14. Phoenix Islands: GMT +13. Gilbert Islands (including Tarawa): GMT +12.
- Electricity
- 240 volts AC, 50Hz.
- Population
- 85,000 (UN estimate 2005).
- Population Density
- 104.9 per sq km.
- Capital City
- South Tarawa atoll (including Bairiki, the capital town). Population: 42,000 (UN estimate 2003).
- Government
- Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1979.
- Head of Government
- Presidential elections were held in July 2003, in which Anote Tong defeated his older brother, Harry. The president has identified rising population levels, youth unemployment and the threat from climate change as the country’s key issues. Tong was then returned to government in 2007 elections.
- Head of State
- President Anote Tong since 2003.
- Religion
- Christianity (53% Roman Catholic and 39% Kiribati Protestant), the Bahai Faith and Islam.
Communications
Telephone
Country Code: +686. Most international calls from Kiribati have to go through the operator. Radio telephone calls can be arranged to most outer islands.
Mobile Telephone
GSM 900 network in use. Network provider is Telecom Services Kiribati Ltd (www.tskl.net.ki).
Internet
There are currently no Internet cafes in Kiribati.
Media
Freedom of speech and of the media is generally respected. The government-run radio station and newspaper offer diverse views. Both Protestant and Catholic churches publish newsletters and periodicals; these are important sources of information. The weekly papers are Kiribati Newstar and Te Uekera, published in English and Kiribati; Kiribati Business Link is published in English. There is no domestic television service; Radio Kiribati is state run.
Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes up to two weeks. There is a weekly postal service for overseas mail.Mon-Fri 0900-1500.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
11 Dec Human Rights Day
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas
2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
18 Apr Health Day
22 Apr - 25 Apr Easter
13 Jul Independence Day
14 Jul Uniwaine Day
15 Jul Unaine Day
7 Aug Youth Day
11 Dec Human Rights Day
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas
2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
6 Apr - 9 Apr Easter
18 Apr Health Day
12 Jul Independence Day
14 Jul Unaine Day
15 Jul Uniwaine Day
7 Aug Youth Day
11 Dec Human Rights Day
25 Dec Christmas
Contact Information
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
PO Box 510, Betio, Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati
Tel: 26157/8.
E-mail: commerce@tskl.net.ki
south-pacific.travel (South Pacific Tourism Organization) in Fiji
Street address: Level 3 FNPF Place, 343-359 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
Postal address: PO Box 13119, Suva, Fiji
Tel: 330 4177.
Website: www.south-pacific.travel
Honorary Consulate of Kiribati in the UK
The Great House, Llanddewi Rhydderch, Monmouthshire NP7 9UY, UK
Tel/Fax: (01873) 840 375.
E-mail: michael.walsh@sema.co.uk
Visas issued by appointment only.
Commonwealth Resource Center in the UK
The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Clock Tower Yard, Temple Meads, Bristol BS1 6QH, UK
Tel: (0117) 925 4980.
Website: www.empiremuseum.co.uk
Provides information on Kiribati.
