The Republic of Kiribati (pronounced Keer-ree-biss) is a nation comprised of 33 low-lying coral atolls in the central Pacific Ocean.  The majority
of the population lives in the Gilbert Islands in the west.

  The total area of Kiribati’s islands is 810 sq km, roughly four times the size of Washington D.C., and and Exclusive Economic Zone of
3.5 million sq km.  The population is 107,000 (est. July 2007).

  Kiribati gained independence from Great Britain on July 12, 1979.  At that time, Kiribati also signed an agreement of friendship with the US,
acquiring the virtually uninhabited central Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands in the east.

  In 1995, Kiribati petitioned to have the International Dateline moved around its easternmost island in order to keep the whole country on the
same day.   Kiribati is 17 hours ahead of the US Eastern Standard Time.

  The I-Kiribati, a predominantly Micronesian people, speak Kiribati, through the official language is English.

  The I-Kiribati have a community-based and religious culture.  Generally Catholic or Protestant, about 8 percent of the population is Mormon,
Seventh Day Adventist, Baha’i  or other.

  The national buget of Kiribati is approximately $65 million AUD and $15 million AUD of this comes fro Australian aid.  Fishing license sales
and remittances from relatives abroad, along with copra and fish sales make up the bulk of Kiribati income.

  The World Bank has labeled Kiribati as one of the countries most vulnerable to sea level rise and climate change.