Kiribati

[ keer-ee-bah-tee, keer-uh-bas ]

noun

1. a republic in the central Pacific Ocean, on the equator, comprising 33 islands. 263 sq. mi. (681 sq. km). : Tarawa.

Kiribati

/ ˌkɪrɪˈbæs; ˌkɪrɪˈbætɪ /

noun

1. an independent republic in the W Pacific: comprises 33 islands including Banaba (Ocean Island), the Gilbert and Phoenix Islands, and eight of the Line Islands; part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands until 1975; became self-governing in 1977 and gained full independence in 1979 as the Republic of Kiribati; a member of the Commonwealth. Official languages: English, I-Kiribati (Gilbertese) is widely spoken. Religion: Christian majority. Currency: Australian dollar. Capital: Bairiki islet, in Tarawa atoll. Pop: 103 248 (2013 est). Area: 684 sq km (264 sq miles)

Example Sentences

“It was almost like how you train surgeons when they do operations,” says Petero Manufolau, the CEO of the Tourism Authority of Kiribati.

From Time

At the start of the pandemic, Kiribati slammed its borders closed.

From Time

Theoretically, it’s big enough to house Kiribati’s 100,000 inhabitants.

From Quartz

For the populations of tiny island nations like Kiribati, the threat is real and near – and any impacts would be irreversible.

From The Daily Beast