KIRIBATI

KIRIBATI 

Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) is an independent republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, located in the central Pacific Ocean, about 4,000 km (about 2,500 mi) southwest of Hawaii. It is part of the division of the Pacific islands that is known as Micronesia. Kiribati consists of 33 coral islands divided among three island groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands, and the Line Islands.

It is located in the continent of Oceania.

The climate in Kiribati is hot, sunny and tropical with temperatures ranging from 26-32°C year round.

Tarawa is the capital city of Kiribati. It has a population of 40,311

Tarawa is also the political center of Kiribati, which is considered a Republic, and home to its Executive head of state.

The native people of Kiribati are called I-Kiribati. Ethnically, the I-Kiribati are Micronesians.

                                                                                                       

                                                                   

Kiribati became an independent state in 1979, after gaining its sovereignty from The United Kingdom. The population of Kiribati is (2019 est.) 124,100 and the nation has a density of 126 per square kilometer.

POLITICS

Taneti Maamau is now the President of the Republic of Kiribati. He is serving his first term in office since 2016.

unitary republic with one legislative house (House of Assembly 

Politics of Kiribati takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Kiribati is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the House of Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The Constitution, promulgated at independence on 12 July 1979, establishes the Republic of Kiribati as a sovereign democratic republic and guarantees the fundamental rights of its citizens.

ECONOMIC

Economic activity in Kiribati is constrained by isolation, limited natural resources and a fragile environment.

The economy is highly dependent on fishing license fees, remittances and donor assistance.

This makes Kiribati the poorest country in Oceania.

LANGUAGE

The people are Micronesian, and the vast majority speak Gilbertese (or I-Kiribati). English, which is the official language, is also widely spoken, especially on Tarawa.

CURRENCY

The currency of Kiribati is the Australian Dollar (AUD). As well, the people of Kiribati are refered to as I-Kiribati.

RELIGION

The Constitution of Kiribati allows residents of the country to enjoy the right to freedom of religion.

The different denominations of Christianity together constitute the largest religious group in the country. About 96% of the population of the country are Christians. 0.05% of the country’s population are not affiliated to any religion.

GASTRONOMY

Kiribati traditional food is based on rice and fish, with the sashimi being as good and as fresh as it gets. The palu sami (a coconut cream-curry powder-taro leave-seaweed concoction) is a Kiribati specialty, though visitors may want to try it with chicken or pork as opposed to plain. In the south, be sure to try the pandanus fruit with coconut cream.

• SAMOAN POI (MASHED BANANAS WITH COCONUT CREAM)

• Kiribati crab cocktail

• KIRIBATI PUMPKIN COCONUT SOUP

CULTURAL LIFE

Kiribati society remains conservative and resistant to change; ties to family and traditional land remain strong, and conspicuous displays of individual achievement or wealth are discouraged. The building and racing of sailing canoes is a common pastime. Musical composition and dancing in customary styles are regarded as art forms and are the basis of widespread competition. Volleyball and football (soccer) are popular sports. 

CURIOUS FACTS

Kiribati is the first country that will be swallowed up by the sea as a result of climate change. Global warming is melting the polar icecaps, glaciers and the ice sheets that cover Greenland, causing sea levels to rise. It is estimated that sea levels have risen an average of 3.2 mm per year since 1993, according to the Fifth Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2018).

two of its uninhabited islands, Abanuea and Tebua Tarawa (the latter used by fisherman) disappeared under the waves. Now, storm surges cause the sea to invade the land increasingly more often, contaminating freshwater reserves, killing crops and flooding homes.

The reality is that this problem is not endemic to the Pacific. Kiribati could just be the first domino to fall. If the ice sheets covering Greenland melt completely, sea levels would rise approximately seven metres, and cities like London and Los Angeles would disappear.