Location
South Pacific, Micronesia.
Area
810.5 sq km (312.9 sq miles).
Population
85,000 (UN 2005).
Population Density
104.9 per sq km.
Capital
South Tarawa atoll (including
Bairiki, the capital town).
Population: 36,717 (2000).
Government
Republic. Gained independence from
the UK in 1979.
Language
Kiribati and English.
Religion
Christianity (53.4% Roman
Catholic and 39.2% Kiribati
Protestant), the Bahai Faith and
Islam.
Time
Christmas (Line) Islands: GMT
+14.
Phoenix Islands: GMT +13.
Gilbert Islands (including
Tarawa): GMT +12.
Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz.
Head of Government
The most recent presidential
elections were held in July 2003, in
which Anote Tong defeated his older
brother, Harry. The president has
identified rising population levels,
youth unemployment and the threat
from climate change as the country’s
key issues.
Head of State
President Anote Tong since July
2003.
Telephone
Country code: 686. Most
international calls from Kiribati
have to go through the
operator. Radio telephone calls can
be arranged to most outer islands.
Mobile Telephone
GSM 900 network in use. Network
provider is Telecom Services
Kiribati Ltd (website:
www.tskl.net.ki).
Internet
There are currently no Internet
cafes in Kiribati.
Media
Freedom of speech and of the media
is generally respected. The
government-run radio station and
newspaper offer diverse views. Both
Protestant and Catholic churches
publish newsletters and periodicals;
these are important sources of
information.
Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes up
to two weeks. There is a weekly
postal service for overseas mail.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri
0900-1500.
Press
• The weekly papers are Kiribati
Newstar and Te Uekera,
published in English and Kiribati.
• Kiribati Business Link is
published in English.
Radio
• Radio Kiribati is state
run.
Below are listed Public Holidays for
the January 2007-December 2008
period.
2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
9 Apr Good Friday.
18 Apr Health Day.
12 Jul Independence
Day.
Aug 7 Youth Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.
2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
21 Mar Good Friday.
18 Apr Health Day.
12 Jul Independence
Day.
7 Aug Youth Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.
Contact Information:
Ministry of Commerce, Industry
and Tourism
PO Box 510, Betio, Tarawa, Republic
of Kiribati
Tel: 26157/8.
E-mail:
commerce@tskl.net.ki
South Pacific Tourism
Organization in Fiji
Street
address: Level 3 FNPF
Place, 343-359 Victoria Parade,
Suva, Fiji
Postal address: PO Box 13119,
Suva, Fiji
Tel: 330 4177.
Website:
www.tcsp.com
Honorary Consulate of Kiribati in
the UK
The Great House, Llanddewi Rhydderch,
Monmouthshire NP7 9UY, UK
Tel/Fax: (01873) 840 375.
E-mail:
michael.walsh@sema.co.uk
Visas issued by appointment only.
Commonwealth Resource Center in
the UK
The British Empire and Commonwealth
Museum, Clock Tower Yard, Temple
Meads, Bristol BS1 6QH, UK
Tel: (0117) 925 4980.
Website:
www.empiremuseum.co.uk
Provides information on Kiribati.
Source :
http://www.iexplore.co.uk/dmap/Kiribati/The+Essentials
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