The tiny nation of Kiribati spans across all four hemispheres—Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western. Spread across 811 square km, the country is small in size, both in population and landmass.
This Pacific island nation uniquely crosses the equator and the International Date Line, placing parts of it in each hemisphere, each quarter of the globe. It is made up of 33 atolls and reef islands, along with one raised coral island.
The country is divided into three main groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands, and the Line Islands. The capital, South Tarawa, is located on Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.
The small sized place has an interesting history too. The islands have been inhabited for thousands of years by Micronesian peoples.
European contact began in the 16th century, and the islands later became a British protectorate in the 19th century, known as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony.
Kiribati gained independence from Britain in 1979 and became a member of the United Nations in 1999.
It is the first country to experience a new day due to its time zone location. It adjusted its boundaries in 1995 to ensure that all its islands shared the same calendar day.
However, it is among the nations most threatened by rising sea levels due to climate change. Many of its islands are low-lying and vulnerable to flooding.
In response, Kiribati has taken proactive steps, including purchasing land in Fiji as a potential resettlement option for its citizens.
The Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest marine reserves in the world. This initiative demonstrates the nation’s dedication to preserving its biodiversity despite limited resources.
The economy is small and primarily based on subsistence farming and fishing. Kiribati also generates revenue from the sale of fishing licenses and remittances from citizens working abroad.
Many travellers who have somehow managed to visit this unique country haves shared their wonderful experiences on TripAdvisor Forum.
One user said: “A beautiful place that represents the future of Kiribati. Walked around it. Has a huge map at the front. But the hidden treasure is the bar at the back. Great range of beer at a great price. The view over the lagoon with a cold one is priceless.”
Another one commented: “During my recent holiday in Tarawa & staying for 3 weeks I was able to return to Parliament House & take a stroll around the building, only really witnessed a few other people while strolling around & looked like some kind of meeting was going on inside the house, managed to chat with some of the security employees, the building it self is starting to date & needs a good coat of paint, maybe the grounds are in need for some attention.
“If your in Tarawa either on a business trip or being a tourist then it’s worth just taking a look at this rather strange shaped building & walking around the grounds, some of the security staff were a little unsure when I asked them if I could park my hired car & take a walk around & take some pics, most of the security guards were friendly & made me very welcome, during my 3 week stay in Tarawa I managed to re-call in on a couple of occasions & chat with some of the security staff……… worth visiting if you are interested.”