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Kiribati
Last update: Saturday 11th of February 2012
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| Ribaberikin Kiribati Republic of Kiribati | |||||
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| Motto: Te Mauri, Te Raoi ao Te Tabomoa (English: Health, Peace and Prosperity) | |||||
| Anthem: Teirake Kaini Kiribati | |||||
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| Capital (and largest city) | South Tarawa | ||||
| Official languages | English, Kiribati | ||||
| Government | Republic | ||||
| - President | Anote Tong | ||||
| Independence | |||||
| - from UK | 12 July 1979 | ||||
| Area | |||||
| - Total | 726 km² (186th) 280 sq mi | ||||
| - Water (%) | 0 | ||||
| Population | |||||
| - July 2005 estimate | 99,350 (197th) | ||||
| - 2000 census | 84,494 | ||||
| - Density | 137 /km² (73rd) 355 /sq mi | ||||
| GDP (PPP) | 2005 estimate | ||||
| - Total | $206 million1 (213th) | ||||
| - Per capita | $2,358 (136th) | ||||
| HDI (2006) | n/a (unranked) (n/a) | ||||
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .ki | ||||
| Calling code | +686 | ||||
| 1 Supplemented by a nearly equal amount from external sources. | |||||
Kiribati, officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. It comprises 33 atolls dispersed over 1,351 square miles (3,500 km²) close to the equator.
The name Kiribati is pronounced and is the Kiribati rendering of "Gilberts", derived from the English name for the main group of islands: the former Gilbert Islands. Because the written native language lacks the letter 's', the sound is rendered as 'ti.' Likewise, the Pacific island known as Christmas Island (not to be confused with the Australian-administered island of that name in the Indian Ocean) is known in the Kiribati language as Kiritimati Island.
"We're very happy that now at last there is agreement, that all the countries are in agreement that we have a problem with global warming," Kiribati President Anote Tong said. Tong said his nation was already suffering, with land and houses washed away. "We believe it's already reached a stage where it is irreversible," Tong said.