| The Republic of Kiribati is a group of islands nation | | | | to WWII battlegrounds and natural history |
| located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. | | | | expeditions can be organised. |
| Most of the islands of Kiribati are low lying coral atolls | | | | Stretching for almost half the land mass of Kiribati, |
| built on a submerged volcanic chain and encircled by | | | | Christmas Island is covered in lakes and ponds and |
| reefs. | | | | boasts some of the largest colonies of birds. Trips |
| Kiribati is located near the point at which the | | | | with studies of the local birdlife are available. Bird |
| international dateline intersects the equator. The | | | | watching is popular, especially on Christmas Island |
| islands are in four main groups the Gilberts, Phoenix, | | | | where millions of birds swarm everywhere. |
| Northern and Southern Line Islands and Ocean Island. | | | | The main towns are London, Paris and Banana. Game |
| Rainfall varies greatly, ranging from 40 inches yearly | | | | fishing is extremely popular on the island. |
| near the equator to 120 inches yearly in the extreme | | | | There are also trips to see outrigger canoe races and |
| north and south. Ocean Island, the central and | | | | dancing contests. |
| southern Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands and | | | | A community meeting house, where visitors may |
| Christmas Island are also subject to severe droughts | | | | enjoy traditional dancing, singing and storytelling. |
| that may last many months. | | | | A fine way to get the whole picture of Kiribati is to |
| Many of the people of Kiribati continue in the | | | | take a flight seeing trip on board frighteningly small |
| traditional ways of village life with their extended | | | | planes. Tours take in the islands of Abaiang, |
| families. Most people live in small villages of 10 to 150 | | | | Abemama, Maiana and Tarawa, other islands can be |
| houses, which are generally built of thatch and | | | | visited on request. |
| provide good protection from the rain as well as | | | | The islands boast superb white sandy beaches and |
| good air circulation. The way of life is simple most | | | | crystal clear lagoon waters. However, swimming in |
| islanders fish locally, grow their own food, and raise | | | | south Tarawa Lagoon is not advisable due to the |
| livestock. On the island of Tarawa, where the capital | | | | extent of its pollution and extreme caution is |
| is located, life is changing as the urban population | | | | recommended on ocean side reefs. There are |
| grows. | | | | excellent facilities for snorkelling and deep sea fishing. |
| The Presidents Office, Parliament building and | | | | It is also possible to charter boats for sailing across |
| international airport are all situated on Bonriki. A | | | | the Tarawa Lagoon. |
| number of war relics can be seen on Betio and visits | | | | |