Everything you need to know about Kiribati: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Kiribati Islands: Central Pacific Ocean Archipelago with 32 Atolls
Austronesian-speaking people first inhabited Kiribati before the 1st century A.D. Fijians and Tongans arrived in the 14th century and became a part of the existing Kiribati society and culture. In 1837 the first British settlers arrived. British colonialised Kiribati in 1892 along with the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Tarawa and others of the Gilbert group were occupied by Japan during World War II. Tarawa was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. Marine Corps history when its marines landed in Nov. 1943 to dislodge the Japanese defenders. The Gilbert Islands and Ellice Islands (now Tuvalu) were separated in 1975 and granted internal self-government by Britain. Kiribati became independent on July 1979. Kiribati in 1995 moved the International Date Line far to the east so that it became the first country to welcome the new millennium and witness the dawn, thus boosting its tourist arrivals.
Kiribati Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures
Geographical Information on Kiribati:
Kiribati is an island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean. Kiribati is an archipelago of 32 atolls and one raised coral island. The main groups of islands are Banaba, Gilbert Islands, Phoenix Islands and Line Islands.
Kiribati enjoys tropical and marine climate. The hot and humid climate of Kiribati is often moderated by trade winds.
Culture, Cuisine and Tradition of Kiribati:
Traditional customs and beliefs of worshipping forces still survive in present days. The traditional way of practices and beliefs can be reflected through the life style and their conducts. The Kiribati people respect and worship the forces of nature and have strong belief in the power of magic and the existence of ghosts.
The main dish of Kiribati people is rice that is usually served with most meals. Food of Kiribati comprises fish and seafood, such as fresh shellfish, crabs and shrimps. Kiribati people use various types of sauces and spices. The exotic Kiribati Cuisine is based on coconut and coconut milk that are used in cooking meat and vegetable dishes. Coconuts are also used in preparing mouth-watering desserts like macapuno or thick dessert jam, bibingka or pudding made of rice, coconut milk, Sugar and eggs.
Tourist Attraction of Kiribati:
Kiribati’s islands has multitude of fascinating and exquisite tourist attractions. The scenic composition of clear turquoise waters alongside miles stretched beaches to give memorable experiences. The group of coral atoll provides unique biodiversity of marine life. Kiribati islands have few unexplored underwater sanctuaries remaining in the world.
Christmas Island, located in the southern part is known as a bird-watcher’s paradise containing the breeding habitats of some exquisite bird species.
Washington, Mar 31 (ANI): Corals that have survived heat stress in the past are more likely to survive it in the future, a new study has claimed.
