Country
Countries A-Z
Kiribati
Republic of Kiribati
I Kiribati
Political Status: Formerly the Gilbert Islands; became a British protectorate in 1892; annexed as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony in 1915, the Ellice Islands becoming independent as the state of Tuvalu in 1978; present name adopted upon becoming an independent member of the Commonwealth on July 12, 1979.
Area: 313 sq. mi. (811 sq. km).
Population: 114,000 (2016E—UN); 106,925 (2016E—U.S. Census).
Major Urban Center (2010E—UN): BAIRIKI (4,000).
Official Language: I-Kiribati (Gilbertese); English is also widely spoken.
Monetary Unit: Australian Dollar (market rate October 1, 2016: 1.30 Australian dollar = $1US). The British Pound is also in circulation.
President: Taneti MAMAU (Tobwaan Kiribati Party); popularly elected on March 9, 2016, and sworn in for four-year term on March 11, succeeding Anote TONG (Boutokaan te Koaua).
Vice President: Kourabi NENEM ...