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| Kiribati | Communications | Back to Top |
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
| Kiribati | Culture | Back to Top |
Kiribati society remains conservative and resistant to change; ties to family and orthodox land remain strong, and conspicuous displays of individual achievement or wealth are discouraged. The building and racing of sailing canoes is a popular pastime. Musical composition and dancing in customary styles are regarded as art forms and are the basis of widespread competition. Volleyball and football (soccer) are now widely played.
| Kiribati | Defence | Back to Top |
no regular military forces; Police Force (carries out law enforcement functions and paramilitary duties; small police posts are on all islands), Kiribati does not have military forces; defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ.
| Kiribati | International Disputes | Back to Top |
None
| Kiribati | Economy | Back to Top |
A remote nation of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few national resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of freedom from the UK in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. Tourism provides more than one-fifth of GDP. The financial area is at an early stage of development as is the development of private area initiatives. Foreign financial aid, largely from the UK and Japan, is a critical supplement to GDP, equal to 25%-50% of GDP in recent years. Remittances from workers abroad account for more than $5 million each year. Performance in 2000 fell short of the 2.5% growth in 1999, which benefited from increased copra production and exceptionally large revenues from fishing licenses.
| Kiribati | Government | Back to Top |
The Constitution published at freedom establishes Kiribati as a sovereign democratic republic and guarantees the fundamental rights of its citizens.
The unicameral House of Assembly has 42 members: 40 elected representatives, one appointed member from Banaba island, and the Attorney General on an exofficio basis. All of the members of the Maneaba serve 4-year terms. The speaker for the legislature is elected by the Maneaba from outside of its membership and is not a voting member of Parliament. The judicial system consists of the High Court, a court of appeal, and magistrates' courts. All judicial appointments are made by the president.
| Kiribati | History | Back to Top |
The I-Kiribati people settled what would become known as the Gilbert Islands between 1000 and 1300 AD. consequent invasions by Fijians and Tongans introduced Micronesian and Polynesian elements to the Micronesian culture, but considerable intermarriage has produced a population reasonably homogeneous in appearance and traditions.
Post-freedom politics were initially controlled by Ieremia Tabai, Kiribati's first president, who served from 1979 to 1991, stepping down due to Kiribati's three-term limit for presidents. Teburoro Tito's tenure as president, 1994-2003, also was curtailed by the three-term limit, though in his case his third term lasted only a matter of months before he lost a no confidence motion in Parliament. In July 20003, Anote Tong defeated his elder brother, Harry Tong, who was backed by former-President Tito and his allies. An ensuing court challenge which alleged violations of campaign finance laws could have unseated President Tong. in October 2003, a judge specially brought in from Australia to ensure strict neutrality, governed in President Tong's favor.
| Kiribati | Introduction | Back to Top |
Kiribati, Republic of, formerly the Gilbert Islands, independent state in the west-central Pacific Ocean, part of Micronesia. It consists of 33 coral islands and atolls and one volcanic island (Banaba) scattered over 2 million sq km (772,000 sq mi); about 20 of the islands are permanently colonised. The islands of Kiribati include Banaba (Ocean Island); the 16 Gilbert Islands, including Tarawa, on which the capital, Bairiki, is located; Rawaki; the 8 Phoenix Islands and 8 of the 11 Line Islands, including Kiritimati Island (or Christmas Island), the nation's largest. The total land area is 886 sq km (342 sq mi). Kiribati has a tropical climate with a rainy season that lasts from October to March; typhoons are common.
Official Name- Republic of Kiribati| Kiribati | Land | Back to Top |
N/A
| Kiribati | Legal | Back to Top |
Legal system: NA vote: 18 years of age; universal administrator branch: chief of state: President Teburoro TITO (since 1 October 1994); Vice President Tewareka TENTOA (since 12 October 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Teburoro TITO (since 1 October 1994); Vice President Tewareka TENTOA (since 12 October 1994); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the House of Assembly, includes the president, vice president, attorney general, and up to eight other ministers elections: the House of Assembly chooses the presidential candidates from among their members and then those candidates compete in a general election; president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 27 November 1998 (next to be held by NA November 2002); vice president appointed by the president election results: Teburoro TITO reelected president; % of vote - Teburoro TITO 52.3%, Dr. Harry TONG 45.8%, Amberoti NIKORA 1.9%, Taberannang TIMEON 0% Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (41 seats; 39 elected by popular vote, one ex officio member, and one nominated to represent Banaba; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 23 September 1998 (next to be held by NA September 2002) election results: % of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Maneaban Te Mauri Party 14, National Progressive Party 11, independents 14 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court; 26 Magistrates' courts; judges at all levels are appointed by the president
| Kiribati | organization | Back to Top |
ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant)
| Kiribati | People | Back to Top |
The population of Kiribati was around at 94,149 in 2001, giving the nation a population density of 116 persons per sq km (301 per sq mi). The overwhelming majority of the people are of Micronesian descent and are known as I-Kiribati. There are also very small minorities of Polynesians and non-Pacific Islanders. English is the official language of Kiribati, and many I-Kiribati speak it in addition to their native language, Gilbertese, an Austronesian language. Christianity predominates in Kiribati: about half of the population is Roman Catholic, and about 40 % is Protestant. There are also small groups of Seventh-day Adventists, Baha’is, and Mormons.
Kiribati includes Kiritimati ,the largest coral atoll in the world, and Banaba, one of the three great phosphate islands in the Pacific. Except on Banaba, very little land is more than three meters above sea level. The original inhabitants of Kiribati are Gilbertese, a Micronesian people. around 90% of the population of Kiribati lives on the atolls of the Gilbert Islands. Owing to an annual population growth rate of around 2.5% and severe overcrowding in the capital on South Tarawa, a program of migration has been implemented to move nearly 5,000 inhabitants to outlying atolls, mainly in the Line Islands. The Phoenix Islands have never had any permanent population. A British effort to settle Gilbertese there in the 1930's failed due to deficiency of water. A new program of settlement to the Phoenix Islands was begun in 1995.
| Kiribati | Politics | Back to Top |
Maneaban Te Mauri Party [Teburoro TITO]; National Progressive Party [Teatao TEANNAKI]
| Kiribati | Provinces | Back to Top |
3 units; Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - in addition, there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the colonised islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina)
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| Kiribati | Time | Back to Top |
| Kiribati | Currency and General Information | Back to Top |
| Countries Currency Unit | AUD/Unit | Units/AUD | |
| DZD | Algeria Dinars | 0.0242878 | 41.1729 |
| USD | United States Dollars | 1.87472 | 0.533413 |
| ARS | Argentina Pesos | 0.639828 | 1.56292 |
| AUD | Australia Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| ATS | Austria Schillings ** | 0.118596 | 8.43196 |
| BSD | Bahamas Dollars | 1.87472 | 0.533413 |
| BBD | Barbados Dollars | 0.942070 | 1.06149 |
| BEF | Belgium Francs ** | 0.0404543 | 24.7193 |
| BMD | Bermuda Dollars | 1.87472 | 0.533413 |
| BRL | Brazil Reals | 0.806726 | 1.23958 |
| GBP | United Kingdom Pounds | 2.66959 | 0.374590 |
| BGL | Bulgaria Leva | 0.838548 | 1.19254 |
| CAD | Canada Dollars | 1.17658 | 0.849918 |
| CLP | Chile Pesos | 0.00285692 | 350.027 |
| CNY | China Yuan Renminbi | 0.226490 | 4.41520 |
| CYP | Cyprus Pounds | 2.80989 | 0.355886 |
| CZK | Czech Republic Koruny | 0.0528450 | 18.9233 |
| DKK | Denmark Kroner | 0.219633 | 4.55304 |
| XCD | East Caribbean Dollars | 0.694340 | 1.44022 |
| EGP | Egypt Pounds | 0.407322 | 2.45506 |
| EUR | Euro | 1.63192 | 0.612775 |
| FJD | Fiji Dollars | 0.838425 | 1.19271 |
| FIM | Finland Markkaa ** | 0.274469 | 3.64339 |
| FRF | France Francs ** | 0.248785 | 4.01954 |
| DEM | Germany Deutsche Marks ** | 0.834388 | 1.19848 |
| XAU | Gold Ounces | 566.122 | 0.00176640 |
| GRD | Greece Drachmae ** | 0.00478920 | 208.803 |
| HKD | Hong Kong Dollars | 0.240367 | 4.16030 |
| HUF | Hungary Forint | 0.00671928 | 148.825 |
| ISK | Iceland Kronur | 0.0187447 | 53.3484 |
| INR | India Rupees | 0.0384701 | 25.9942 |
| IDR | Indonesia Rupiahs | 0.000191325 | 5,226.71 |
| IEP | Ireland Pounds ** | 2.07211 | 0.482599 |
| ILS | Israel New Shekels | 0.398164 | 2.51153 |
| ITL | Italy Lire ** | 0.000842817 | 1,186.50 |
| JMD | Jamaica Dollars | 0.0393767 | 25.3957 |
| JPY | Japan Yen | 0.0141388 | 70.7274 |
| JOD | Jordan Dinars | 2.64443 | 0.378153 |
| LBP | Lebanon Pounds | 0.00123907 | 807.056 |
| LUF | Luxembourg Francs ** | 0.0404543 | 24.7193 |
| MYR | Malaysia Ringgits | 0.493670 | 2.02564 |
| MXN | Mexico Pesos | 0.208106 | 4.80524 |
| NZD | New Zealand Dollars | 0.825764 | 1.21100 |
| NOK | Norway Kroner | 0.211885 | 4.71953 |
| NLG | Netherlands Guilders ** | 0.740534 | 1.35038 |
| PKR | Pakistan Rupees | 0.0312975 | 31.9515 |
| PHP | Philippines Pesos | 0.0368168 | 27.1615 |
| XPT | Platinum Ounces | 957.910 | 0.00104394 |
| PLN | Poland Zlotych | 0.456471 | 2.19072 |
| PTE | Portugal Escudos ** | 0.00813999 | 122.850 |
| ROL | Romania Lei | 0.0000568851 | 17,579.28 |
| RUR | Russia Rubles | 0.0602425 | 16.5996 |
| SAR | Saudi Arabia Riyals | 0.499928 | 2.00029 |
| XAG | Silver Ounces | 8.73042 | 0.114542 |
| SGD | Singapore Dollars | 1.01711 | 0.983177 |
| SKK | Slovakia Koruny | 0.0390769 | 25.5906 |
| ZAR | South Africa Rand | 0.165601 | 6.03859 |
| KRW | South Korea Won | 0.00142358 | 702.456 |
| ESP | Spain Pesetas ** | 0.00980804 | 101.957 |
| XDR | IMF Special Drawing Rights | 2.34082 | 0.427201 |
| SDD | Sudan Dinars | 0.00721046 | 138.687 |
| SEK | Sweden Kronor | 0.180758 | 5.53225 |
| CHF | Switzerland Francs | 1.11319 | 0.898321 |
| TWD | Taiwan New Dollars | 0.0537166 | 18.6162 |
| THB | Thailand Baht | 0.0431348 | 23.1832 |
| TTD | Trinidad and Tobago Dollars | 0.306327 | 3.26449 |
| TRL | Turkey Liras | 0.00000143158 | 698,530.96 |
| VEB | Venezuela Bolivares | 0.00203774 | 490.740 |
| ZMK | Zambia Kwacha | 0.000449681 | 2,223.80 |
| Kiribati : Geographic coordinates | 1 25 N, 173 00 E |
| Kiribati : Population growth rate | 2.31% |
| Kiribati : Birth rate | 31.98 births/1,000 population |
| Kiribati : Death rate | 8.88 deaths/1,000 population |
| Kiribati : People living with HIV/AIDS | N/A |
| Kiribati : Independence | 12 July 1979 |
| Kiribati : National holiday | Independence Day, 12 July |
| Kiribati : Constitution | 12 July 1979 |
| Kiribati : GDP | purchasing power parity - $76 million |
| Kiribati : GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $850 |
| Kiribati : Electricity - consumption | 6.5 million kWh |
| Kiribati : Exports | $6 million copra, coconuts, seaweed, fish |
| Kiribati : Imports | $44 million foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, miscellaneous manufactured goods, fuel |
| Kiribati : Telephones | 2,000 |
| Kiribati : Mobile cellular | N/A |
| Kiribati : Radio broadcast stations | AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 |
| Kiribati : Radios | 17,000 |
| Kiribati : Television broadcast stations | 1 |
| Kiribati : Televisions | 1,000 |
| Kiribati : Internet country code | .ki |
| Kiribati : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 1 |
| Kiribati : Internet users | 1000 |
| Kiribati : Railways | N/A |
| Kiribati : Highways | 670 km |
| Kiribati : Waterways | 5 km |
| Kiribati : Pipelines | N/A |
| Kiribati : Ports and harbors | Banaba, Betio, English Harbor, Kanton |
| Kiribati : Merchant marine | 1 ship |
| Kiribati : Airports | 21 |
| Kiribati : Heliports | N/A |
| Kiribati : Military branches | Military forces; Police Force |
| Kiribati : Military expenditures | N/A |