Kiribati - Cradle Of Pacific Nations

The Republic of Kiribati is a country located on the islands and atolls in the western part of Pacific - Polynesia. It includes three groups of island - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands and Phoenix Islands and separate Atoll Banaba. In total to the Republic of Kiribati comprise 33 atolls. On the northwest border with Marshall Islands, with Nauru in the west, and the Solomon Islands, on the south  then with the Cook Islands and Tokelau. The total territorial area is only 811 km² and the length of coastline is 1143 km. Area of ​​territorial waters is 3,2 million km², which is about the area in Argentina and Chile combined. The capital city is located on South Tarawa atoll of Tarawa.

The state's population makes approximately 101 thousand of inhabitants, mostly are Micronesians (98.8%). On the island descendants of Europeans also live, especially church leaders, and representatives of various international organizations, Chinese, and other nations of Southeast Asia. The official language is English in Kiribati, but all the residents communicate and also Tongarua and language. More than half the population (55%) are Roman Catholics, 36% are Protestants, 3.6% - Mormons.

The Republic of Kiribati is a democratic unitary republic, which in 1979 gained independence from Great Britain. Head of state and government are president and vice president. Legislative power is exercised by the unicameral Parliament House or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu, which sits 46 Members elected for 4-year period. Members of parliament proposed presidential candidate, who is then elected in a general ballot for a period of 4 years. Vice President and the government are appointed by the President from among the Members of Parliament.

Administratively the state is divided into 3 parts mentioned above: Gilbert Islands, Line Islands and Phoenix Islands, 6 districts and 21 island councils.

History of settlement the islands are still shrouded in mystery. It is assumed that the first inhabitants of the islands were Australians tribes who came here before 2500 years ago. In the 14th century AD invaded the Gilbert Islands and Tongan Fijians, but did not find any native tribes.

The first island discovered by Europeans was Butaritari - discovered in 1606 by Portuguese sailor Pedro Fernandes de Queirós and named him Bueno Vieja, then discovered Makin and probably Beru (1606). In the mid 19 century British and American whalers often frequented these parts at the same time, the first time there are Christian missionaries, who left behind churches and local residents turned to their faith. In 1892, Great Britain declared Gilbert Islands a British protectorate. Independence from the British crown, the country received in 1979.

Tarawa Island lies in the middle of the northern part of the Gilbert Islands. Atoll has a total surface area 490 km ² and comprises of 22 islands, 8 of which are inhabited. The largest island is South Tarawa atoll. On it is a city state - Bairiki and only international airport of Bonriki. It is also one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific, a population of more than 30% of the population of the state. In Bairiki are distributed government institutions, banks, state library, archives and other public organizations.

Betio Island is the most densely populated place in Kiribati and one of the largest industrial centres. It features a port, shipyard and the main plant. It is absolutely flat and virtually bare island and almost all its central part is occupied by a wide landing area airport Hawkins. It is also located about one of the most important monuments of the Second World War in the Pacific - a large number of war relics of the famous Battle of Tarawa in November 1943.

Tabiteuea atoll consists of two large islands - Eanikai and Nuguti. He is considered one of the most beautiful places that you can find in Kiribati. Large turquoise lagoon is surrounded by a ring of tiny islands with an area of ​​around 38 square kilometres that make up the maze of reefs and passages. Island residents claim that their island was just the initial island, from where all Pacific Ocean nations. There is very strongly represented traditional culture, in which a very important role played by national dances, singing and magic.

Text: Maxim Kucer

Photo: Wikipedie, Jopolopy (photo2, photo 3), Angela K. Kepler