Kiribati

Kiribati (pronounced /ˈkiːrɨbæs/ ( listen) KIRR-i-bas;^[2] Gilbertese: [ˈkiɾibas]), officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. It is composed of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, dispersed over 3,500,000 square kilometres, (1,351,000 square miles) straddling the equator, and bordering the International Date Line to the east. The name Kiribati is the local pronunciation of "Gilberts", derived from the main island chain, the Gilbert Islands.

Contents

• 1 Etymology
• 2 History
  • 2.1 Early history
  • 2.2 Colonial era
  • 2.3 Independence to present day
• 3 Politics
• 4 Island groups
• 5 Foreign relations
  • 5.1 Regional relations
  • 5.2 United States relations
• 6 Geography
• 7 Economy
  • 7.1 Balance of payments
• 8 Demographics
• 9 Human rights
• 10 Human development
• 11 Education
• 12 Transport
• 13 Culture
  • 13.1 Music
  • 13.2 Dance
  • 13.3 Outside perspectives
• 14 See also
• 15 References
• 16 External links

Republic of Kiribati Kiribati
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Te Mauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabomoa (English: Health, Peace and Prosperity)
Anthem: Teirake Kaini Kiribati
Capital (and largest city)		South Tarawa 1°28′N 173°2′E / 1.467°N 173.033°E / 1.467; 173.033
Official languages		English, Gilbertese
Demonym		I-Kiribati
Government		Republic
-	President	Anote Tong
Independence
-	from United Kingdom	July 12, 1979
Area
-	Total	726 km2 (186th) 280 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0
Population
-	July 2005 estimate	105,432 (197th)
-	2005 census	92,533
-	Density	137/km2 (73rd) 355/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$608 million[1]
-	Per capita	$6,112[1]
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$137 million[1]
-	Per capita	$1,372[1]
HDI (1998)		.515 (medium) (unranked)
Currency		Kiribati dollar Australian dollar (AUD)
Time zone		(UTC+12, +13, +14)
Drives on the		left
Internet TLD		.ki
Calling code		686