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Kiribati

Introduction to Kiribati

The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati.

Government

Capital:

Tarawa 

Independence:

12 July 1979 (from UK) 

National holiday:

Independence Day, 12 July (1979) 

Economy

Economy overview:

A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence 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 sector is at an early stage of development as is the expansion of private sector initiatives. Foreign financial aid from UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and China equals 25%-50% of GDP. Remittances from workers abroad account for more than $5 million each year. 

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $79 million - supplemented by a nearly equal amount from external sources (2001 est.) 

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 30%
industry: 7%
services: 63% (1998 est.)

Agriculture products:

copra, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, vegetables; fish 

Industries:

fishing, handicrafts 

Transportation

Highways:

total: 670 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km (1999 est.)

Waterways:

5 km (small network of canals in Line Islands) (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Banaba, Betio, English Harbour, Kanton

Merchant marine:

total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,291 GRT/1,295 DWT
by type: passenger 1 (2003 est.)

Airports:

20 (2003 est.)