Kiribati

October 1, 1892 (Saturday) – Becomes part of British Protectorate of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands

January 12, 1916 (Wednesday) – Declared a British colony

December 1941 – November 1943 – WWII battles, including U.S. victory at Battle of Tarawa (Nov 20–23, 1943, Saturday–Tuesday)

January 1, 1972 (Saturday) – Ellice Islands (now Tuvalu) vote to separate from Gilbert Islands

July 12, 1979 (Thursday) – Independence declared, becomes Republic of Kiribati

September 14, 1999 (Tuesday) – Joins the United Nations

January 1, 2000 (Saturday) – Becomes first country to enter the new millennium (Line Islands)

March 1, 2002 (Friday) – Severe drought begins; water scarcity on outer islands

September 10, 2004 (Friday) – Cyclone Heta causes strong waves, minor coastal damage

October 2008 (Tuesday, Oct 14) – Seawater intrusion into freshwater supplies noted in Tarawa

February 2015 (Monday, Feb 16) – Tropical Cyclone Pam causes minor flooding in southern islands

September 1, 2019 (Sunday) – Government buys land in Fiji for potential climate relocation

March 2022 (Wednesday, Mar 16) – Reports confirm extreme coastal erosion in North Tarawa

January 5, 2023 (Thursday) – King tide floods low-lying parts of South Tarawa

March 11, 2024 (Monday) – State of environmental emergency declared due to saltwater intrusion

Continent: Oceania
Location: Central Pacific Ocean, consisting of 33 atolls and reef islands
Capital: South Tarawa
Language: English, Gilbertese (I-Kiribati)
Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD)
Population: ~125,000 (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Gilbert Island Time (GILT, UTC+12); Phoenix Islands (UTC+13); Line Islands (UTC+14)

Borders: None (island nation)
Landscape: Low-lying coral atolls and reef islands
Major Rivers: None (no permanent rivers)
Major Mountains: None (highest natural elevation is a few meters above sea level)
Deserts: None
Lakes: Shallow saltwater lagoons, such as on Kiritimati
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: ~3 meters (approx. 10 ft) above sea level on Banaba Island
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean – sea level
Climate: Tropical marine; hot and humid; rainy season from November to April
Geological Features: Coral atolls, reef platforms, phosphate deposits on Banaba

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly I-Kiribati (Micronesian)
Religion: Predominantly Christian (Roman Catholic ~57%, Protestant ~31%)
Urban Population: ~53% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~4.2% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Unique time zones, remote islands, climate change advocacy
Cuisine: Seafood, coconut-based dishes, breadfruit, taro
Music/Dance: Traditional chanting, rhythmic dancing, pandanus mat dances
Arts: Handicrafts, woven mats, shells, storytelling
Sports: Football, volleyball, weightlifting

Economy Type: Developing; reliant on foreign aid, remittances, and fishing licenses
GDP: Approx. $0.25 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Fishing, copra production, marine services
Key Exports: Copra, fish, seaweed
Unemployment Rate: ~30% (including underemployment) (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Tarawa (administrative/commercial hub), outer islands (subsistence-based)

Government Type: Unitary parliamentary republic
Head of State and Government: President Taneti Maamau (as of April 2025)
Legislature: House of Assembly (Maneaba ni Maungatabu)
Constitution: Adopted on July 12, 1979

Kiritimati Island: Largest coral atoll in the world, birdwatching, fishing
South Tarawa: National museum, WWII sites
Butaritari Atoll: Lush vegetation, traditional villages
Banaba Island: Unique phosphate history and geology
Marine Life: Snorkeling, diving, reef ecosystems
Cultural Events: Te Runga dance festivals, canoe racing