Kiribati

Kiribati, officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island country located in the central Pacific Ocean. The permanent population is just over 110,000, more than 80% of whom live on the atoll of Tarawa. Kiribati is one of the world's least developed nations, with an economy based on subsistence fishing and coconuts. The island was first settled by Micronesians in the 4th century BC. The first European sighting was by Spanish explorer Alonso de Salazar in 1526. The archipelago was claimed by the United Kingdom in 1892 and annexed by Britain as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony in 1915. Kiribati achieved independence from the UK in 1979. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the IMF, and the World Bank, and became a full member of the United Nations in 1999. In 2003, Kiribati became the first country to move its entire population to higher ground due to the threat of global warming and rising sea levels. Kiribati is an island country located in the central Pacific Ocean. The country is made up of 33 atolls and reef islands, which are scattered over 3.5 million square kilometers. The atolls and islands are divided into three groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. The Gilbert Islands are the largest and most populous group, with 16 atolls and 101 reef islands. The atolls are: Banaba (Ocean Island), Butaritari (Makin), Christmas (Kiritimati), Fanning (Tabuaeran), Gilbert (Kiribati), Jarvis, Johnstone, Kingman, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Phoenix, and Tabuaeran. The Line Islands are: Caroline, Flint, Malden, and Vostok. The Phoenix Islands are: Birnie, Enderbury, Hull, McKean, Nikumaroro, Orona, and Phoenix. The capital of Kiribati is South Tarawa, which is located on the atoll of Tarawa. The atoll is home to about half of the country's population. The other main populated islands are Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, and Teraina. The climate of Kiribati is tropical, with a wet season from November to April, and a dry season from May to October. The average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius. The economy of Kiribati is based on subsistence fishing and agriculture, with coconuts being the main crop. Tourism is also an important industry. The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the IMF, and the World Bank, and became a full member of the United Nations in 1999.