Kiribati is a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean made up of 33 atolls. It was settled in the 1st millennium BC and absorbed by the British as a protectorate. It achieved independence in 1979 and is a remote paradise with beautiful beaches and coral reefs. Flights regularly arrive in Tarawa from Hawaii and Fiji.
Kiribati is a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean. It covers 280 square miles (726 sq km), making it about four times the size of Washington, DC. The nation is made up of 33 atolls, spread over more than one million square miles (more than three million square kilometers). Historically, Kiribati has also been referred to as the Gilbert Islands, with the name Kiribati deriving from the local pronunciation of Gilbert.
Kiribati was first settled in the 1st millennium BC by Micronesian groups. Over the next few centuries the islands would be conquered by Tongans, Samoans and Fijians, adding elements of Melanesian and Polynesian culture to their heritage.
The islands were first spotted by Europeans in the 16th century, but interest remained minimal for the next two centuries. In the 18th century Europeans began using the islands as bases for whaling and trading, and they were eventually absorbed by the British as a protectorate.
In the early 20th century the British combined Kiribati with a number of other island groups to form the British Western Pacific Territory, which they administered as a colony. During World War II the islands of Kiribati were a major battlefield in the Pacific Theater between the United States and Japan.
Beginning in the 1960s the British began moving Kiribati, along with other Pacific holding companies, towards independence. The islands were granted a level of autonomy and the union of the Western Pacific Territories was dissolved in 1971. In 1975 a group of islands that were part of Kiribati separated and declared independence as Tuvalu. In 1977 the islands achieved self-government and in 1979 Kiribati was declared an independent nation.
Kiribati has continued to develop peacefully and its economy continues to grow. The early years were uniquely marked by having the youngest elected head of a Commonwealth, Ieremia Tabai, who was 29 when he was elected. In recent years Banaba Island has made offers to secede from Kiribati and become a protectorate of Fiji. The Kiribati government responded to this wish by granting Banaba a number of concessions, including the return of government land on the island and giving Banaba a representative in the legislature.
Kiribati is one of the world’s most remote remaining island paradises, and for those who want to get away and soak up the sun on pristine beaches without the hassle of tourist crowds, it’s ideal. The infrastructure here reflects the lack of tourist hordes, so visitors can occasionally find themselves a bit overwhelmed, but that’s more than made up for by the beauty of the place. There are no specific attractions in Kiribati, just beautiful beaches, great coral reefs and atolls that stand out above the others. The people here are friendly, open and deeply religious and for those who offer them respect they go out of their way to ensure a memorable visit.
Flights regularly arrive in Tarawa from both Hawaii and Fiji. There is no regular ship transport to or from Kiribati, but yachts often call here and it is usually possible to hitchhike from a nearby island with a little know-how.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
