Kiribati — Overview
White sandy beaches and crystal-clear lagoon waters characterize the Republic of Kiribati: 33 coral islands scattered across the Pacific. Kiribati is remote, and the tourism industry remains very much in its infancy. However, with the isles peppered with swaying coconut palms, swathed in balmy breezes, and waters glistening in every direction, it is hard to feel anything other than intense holiday escapism.
While lazing on desolate beaches is a huge draw, Kiribati does have an increasing population of both human and wild life. Capital Tarawa is fast becoming one of the most densely populated areas in the Pacific, while Christmas Island, stretching for almost half the land mass of Kiribati, is carpeted with lakes and ponds great for game fishing, and boasts some of the largest colonies of birds.
Geography
Kiribati (pronounced ‘Kiribass’, formerly the Gilbert Islands) consists of three groups in the central Pacific: Kiribati (including Banaba, formerly Ocean Island), the Line Islands and the Phoenix Islands. The 33 islands, scattered across 5 million sq km (2 million sq miles) of the central Pacific, are low-lying coral atolls with coastal lagoons. The exception is Banaba, which is a coral formation rising to 80m (265ft). The soil is generally poor, apart from Banaba, and rainfall is variable. Coconut palms and pandanus trees comprise the main vegetation. There are no hills or streams throughout the group. Water is obtained from storage tanks or wells.
