# Kiribati

> island sovereign state in the central Pacific Ocean

**Wikidata**: [Q710](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q710)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiribati)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kiribati

## Summary

Kiribati was established on July 12, 1979. Its head of government is Taneti Maamau[1]. The country has an area of 811 and a population of 135k as of 2024[2].

## Summary

Kiribati is an independent island sovereign state in the central Pacific Ocean, officially known as the Republic of Kiribati. It is an archipelagic nation composed of 33 atolls and reef islands, with South Tarawa as its capital. The country spans the equator and the 180th meridian, and its territory includes the Banaba, Gilbert, Phoenix, and Line island groups.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** Republic of Kiribati (Ribaberiki ni Kiribati)
- **Entity Class:** Sovereign state, island country, archipelagic state
- **Location:** Central Pacific Ocean; part of Insular Oceania, Micronesia, and Polynesia
- **Area:** 811.0 square kilometres
- **Capital:** South Tarawa, on the Tarawa atoll
- **Population:** 134,518 (2024 estimate, census-based); 119,438 (2020 census)
- **Inception (Independence):** July 12, 1979
- **Official Languages:** English, Gilbertese
- **Currency:** Kiribati dollar (from July 12, 1979); Australian dollar (from February 14, 1966)
- **ISO 3166-1 Codes:** Alpha-2: KI, Alpha-3: KIR, Numeric: 296
- **Telephone Country Code:** +686
- **Internet Top-Level Domain:** .ki
- **Government Type:** Republic
- **Head of State & Government:** President Taneti Maamau (since March 11, 2016)
- **Legislative Body:** House of Assembly of Kiribati (Parliament)
- **National Motto:** "Te Mauri, te Raoi ao te Tabomoa" (Health, Peace and Prosperity)
- **National Anthem:** "Kunan Kiribati" (since 1979)
- **Time Zones:**
    - UTC+12:00 (Gilbert Islands, Banaba Island)
    - UTC+13:00 (Phoenix Islands)
    - UTC+14:00 (Line Islands)
- **Coordinates:** 1.4667° N, 173.0333° E
- **Highest Point:** 81 metres (Banaba Island)
- **Lowest Point:** 0 metres (Pacific Ocean)
- **Demonym(s):** I-Kiribati, Gilbertin, Kiribatiano, Kiribatijka (feminine), Kiribatijec (masculine)
- **Marriageable Age:** 18 years for all genders
- **Driving Side:** Left
- **Mains Voltage:** 240 Volts, 50 Hertz
- **Electrical Plug Type:** AS/NZS 3112
- **Emergency Phone Numbers:** 999 (general), 192 (police), 193 (fire), 194/195 (medical)

## FAQs

**What is the origin of the name "Kiribati"?**
The name Kiribati is the local adaptation of "Gilberts," referring to the Gilbert Islands. The islands were named after the British captain Thomas Gilbert. The country's native name is "Ribaberiki ni Kiribati."

**What are the key demographic and social statistics?**
As of 2024, the population is estimated at 134,518. In 2022, the birth rate was 26.723 per 1,000 and the death rate was 6.182 per 1,000. The total fertility rate was 3.73 in 2014. Life expectancy at birth in 2022 was 68 years. The population is composed of I-Kiribati people, and the predominant culture is that of Kiribati.

**What is the economic and human development situation?**
Kiribati has a nominal GDP of approximately $223.35 million USD (2022). The country's Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.624 in 2021, with an inequality-adjusted HDI of 0.516. The Gini coefficient, a measure of economic inequality, was 27.8 in 2019. Freedom House classifies Kiribati as a "free country."

**Which international organizations does Kiribati belong to?**
Kiribati is a member of the United Nations (since 1999), the Commonwealth of Nations (since 1979), the Asian Development Bank (since 1974), the International Monetary Fund and World Bank groups (since 1986), and numerous other UN agencies like UNESCO and the WHO. It is also a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

**What are the main features of Kiribati's geography and infrastructure?**
Kiribati is an archipelagic state with a land area of 811 square kilometres. It has three distinct time zones due to its vast east-west spread. The main voltage is 240V at 50Hz, using Australian/New Zealand-style plugs. Traffic drives on the left. The country's emergency numbers are 999 for general emergencies, with specific numbers for police (192), fire (193), and medical services (194, 195).

**Who has led Kiribati as President?**
The current president is Taneti Maamau, in office since March 11, 2016. He succeeded Anote Tong (2003–2016). Other former presidents include Teburoro Tito (1994–2003), Teatao Teannaki (1991–1994), and Ieremia Tabai, who was the first president from independence in 1979 until 1991.

## Why It Matters

Kiribati is of significant geopolitical and environmental importance. As a vast archipelagic state in the central Pacific, it controls an immense Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), rich in marine resources. The country is a leading voice in international climate change discussions, as it is among the nations most vulnerable to rising sea levels. Its unique geography, spanning all four hemispheres, includes the easternmost point in the world (Caroline Island) and places it strategically in key Pacific shipping lanes and fishing grounds. Historically, the Line Islands were the site of nuclear testing by the United States and the UK, and the country has since been an advocate for nuclear non-proliferation. Its diplomatic relations, including recent shifts in recognition between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China, underscore its role in Pacific regional politics.

## Notable For

- **Spanning All Four Hemispheres:** One of the few countries in the world to straddle both the equator and the 180th meridian.
- **Time Zones:** Being one of the first places on Earth to greet the new day, with the Line Islands in UTC+14.
- **Climate Change Leadership:** Being at the forefront of global advocacy for climate action and adaptation for low-lying island nations.
- **Vast Ocean Territory:** Having an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) over 3.5 million square kilometres, despite a small land area.
- **Easternmost Land:** Containing Caroline Island, one of the easternmost points of land on Earth.
- **Unique Biodiversity:** Hosting important seabird colonies and unique coral reef ecosystems in the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA).
- **Nuclear Testing Legacy:** The history of nuclear tests on Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in the 1950s.

## Body

### Geographical Extent and Location
Kiribati is an island sovereign state in the central Pacific Ocean, part of Insular Oceania. Geographically, it belongs to both Micronesia and Polynesia. The nation is an archipelagic state with a land area of 811.0 square kilometres, though its islands are dispersed over a vast expanse of ocean. The coordinates for the country are approximately 1.47° N, 173.03° E. Kiribati's territory includes the Gilbert Islands, Phoenix Islands, Line Islands, and the isolated island of Banaba. The highest point in the country is an unnamed point on Banaba Island, reaching 81 metres, while the lowest point is the Pacific Ocean at sea level. The country's easternmost point is on Caroline Island at -9.94° N, -150.21° E, and its westernmost point is on Banaba Island at -0.86° N, 169.54° E. The northernmost point is at 4.72° N, -160.40° E, and the southernmost point is at -11.45° N, -151.81° E.

### Governance and Politics
Kiribati functions as a republic with its capital in South Tarawa on Tarawa atoll. The foundational text of its government is the Constitution of Kiribati. The head of state and head of government is the President, currently Taneti Maamau, who assumed office on March 11, 2016. The legislative body is the unicameral House of Assembly of Kiribati, which has served as the nation's parliament since independence on July 12, 1979. The country's national motto is "Te Mauri, te Raoi ao te Tabomoa," which translates to "Health, Peace and Prosperity." The national anthem is "Kunan Kiribati," adopted in 1979. The country is divided into several administrative units and has a Cabinet of Kiribati as its executive authority.

### History and Independence
Kiribati gained its independence on July 12, 1979. The nation is named after Thomas Gilbert and the Gilbert Islands. Prior to independence, it used the Australian dollar starting in 1966. The first president was Ieremia Tabai (1979–1991). He was succeeded by Teatao Teannaki (1991–1994), Teburoro Tito (1994–2003), and then Anote Tong (2003–2016). The current president, Taneti Maamau, has been in office since 2016. The country has a rich history, including the nuclear testing legacy on Kiritimati (Christmas Island) and its strategic importance during World War II.

### Demographics and Society
As of the 2020 census, Kiribati's population was 119,438, with a 2024 estimate of 134,518. The male population in 2022 was 63,943 and the female population was 67,289. The rural population in 2022 was 56,354, while the urban population was 74,878. The birth rate in 2022 was 26.723 per 1,000 people, and the death rate was 6.182 per 1,000. The total fertility rate (TFR) was 3.73 in 2014. Life expectancy at birth was 68 years in 2022. The demonym for citizens is I-Kiribati. The official languages are English and Gilbertese. The culture of Kiribati is an integral part of the national identity. The marriageable age is set at 18 years for all genders.

### Economy and Development
Kiribati's economy is classified as a developing one. In 2022, the nominal GDP was $223.35 million USD. The country uses the Kiribati dollar alongside the Australian dollar. The central bank is the Bank of Kiribati, established in 1984. The country's Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.624 in 2021, and its inequality-adjusted HDI was 0.516. The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, was 27.8 in 2019. The main economic activities include fishing (especially license fees for foreign vessels), copra production, and tourism. The official tourism slogan is "For travellers."

### International Relations
Kiribati maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including the United States (since 1980), Spain, Cuba, and the People's Republic of China. It previously had diplomatic relations with Taiwan until September 20, 2019. The country is a member of a wide array of international organizations, including the United Nations (since September 14, 1999), the Commonwealth of Nations (since July 12, 1979), the Asian Development Bank (since 1974), UNESCO, the WHO, and Interpol (since 2018). It is also a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

### Time Zones and Infrastructure
Due to its vast longitudinal spread, Kiribati has three time zones:
- **UTC+12:00:** Applies to the Gilbert Islands and Banaba Island. The IANA time zone is Pacific/Tarawa.
- **UTC+13:00:** Applies to the Phoenix Islands. The IANA time zone is Pacific/Kanton.
- **UTC+14:00:** Applies to the Line Islands. The IANA time zone is Pacific/Kiritimati.
The country's infrastructure includes a mains voltage of 240 volts at 50 hertz, with AS/NZS 3112 electrical plugs. The international telephone code is +686. Emergency phone numbers are 999 for general emergencies, 192 for police, 193 for the fire department, and 194 or 195 for emergency medical services. Vehicles drive on the left side of the road.

### National Symbols and Cultural Identifiers
The national flag is the Flag of Kiribati. The coat of arms is the Coat of arms of Kiribati. The country's Unicode character representation is 🇰🇮. Its three-letter country codes are KIR (ISO 3166-1 alpha-3, IOC, UNDP, ITU letter code) and KI (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2, WIPO ST.3). The numeric country code is 296. Other identifiers include a GND ID (4073459-6), VIAF ID (147680945), ISNI (0000000404587152), and many others from national libraries and international databases.

## References

1. [Kiribati: Politisches Porträt. 2025](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/service/laender/kiribati-node/politisches-portraet-2278268)
2. [Anote Tong](https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/why-uc/our-alumni/notable-alumni/anote-tong)
3. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/kiribati)
4. [Source](http://viaf.org/viaf/data/viaf-20170101-links.txt.gz)
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. BnF authorities
7. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/australasia)
8. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
9. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/kiribati)
10. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
11. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
12. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=165)
13. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
14. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/kiribati)
15. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
16. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Asia-South-Pacific/KIRIBATI)
17. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons)
18. [Source](https://vm.ee/en/news/estonia-established-diplomatic-relations-kiribati)
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. FIPS 10-4
21. MusicBrainz
22. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
23. [Source](http://www.mfed.gov.ki/statistics/documents/2015_Population_Census_Report_Volume_1final_211016.pdf)
24. 2020 Population and Housing. General Report and Results
25. REPORT on the Kiribati 2010 CENSUS OF POPULATION and HOUSING
26. [Source](https://datacommons.org/place/country/KIR?mprop=count&popt=Person&hl=de)
27. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
28. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
29. [Source](https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/kiribati/relations-bilaterales/)
30. World Bank Open Data
31. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
32. BBC Things
33. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
34. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
35. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
36. [Source](https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/KIR/kiribati/life-expectancy)
37. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
38. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
39. English as a Global Language, second edition
40. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
41. Quora
42. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
43. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
44. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
45. [Gazetteer](https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/gaz/blob/master/src/ontology/gaz_countries.csv)
46. iNaturalist
47. FactGrid
48. KBpedia
49. museum-digital
50. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/inequality-adjusted-human-development-index\#/indicies/IHDI)