Kiribati

Kiribati is a country made up of 33 coral atolls and reef islands in the central Pacific Ocean. It is pronounced 'KEER-ee-bahss.' Kiribati is the only country in the world that sits in all four hemispheres: north, south, east, and west. The islands are very flat and close to sea level.

Land and People

About 120,000 people live in Kiribati. The capital is South Tarawa. The islands are spread across 1.3 million square miles of ocean, even though the total land area is only about 313 square miles. Most of the land is just a few feet above sea level.

Culture and Fun Facts

Fishing and coconut farming are important ways of life in Kiribati. The people have a strong connection to the ocean. Kiribati was the first country to see the year 2000 arrive. Rising sea levels threaten the low-lying islands, and the country is working hard to address climate change.

Fun Facts

• Kiribati is the only country that lies in all four hemispheres of the Earth.
• Kiribati was the first place on Earth to enter the year 2000.
• The country's name is pronounced 'KEER-ee-bahss,' not 'KEER-ih-BAH-tee.'

Did You Know?

Kiribati changed its time zone so it could be the first country in the world to welcome the year 2000. The celebration on the island of Kiritimati attracted people from around the globe.