Kiribati

back

above: Kiribati is composed of three groups of islands, of which only two lie inside the polynesian triangle, the Phoenix Islands (left) and the Line Islands. The Palmyra Atoll in the north of the Line Islands is a political part of the USA, like also Baker and Howland in the northwest of the Phoenix Islands. Also Jarvis Island is claimed by the USA. The vegetation on these islands ist quite barely and the number of species is very low. annotation for pronunciation: r - is vocalized as l in help ti - is vocalized as s e.g. in this So it may soon be clear that the name Kiribati (pronounced Kilibas) is from Gilbert Islands resp. Gilberts, the old english name of the islands, also the name of the largest atoll Kiritimati (pronounced Kilismas) is nothing else than a derivation from the old name Christmas Island resp. Christmas.

the islands of the archipelago:

Line Islands

Flint Jarvis Karoraina Kingman Reef Kiritimati Malden Palmyra Starbuck Tabuaeran Teraina Vostok

Phoenix Islands

Abariringa Baker Birnie Enderbury Howland Manra McKean Nikumaroro Orona Rawaki