IntroductionKiribati (kĭrˌĭbăsˈ) [key], officially Republic of
Kiribati (2005 est. pop. 103,000), 342 sq mi (886 sq km),
consisting of 33 islands scattered across 2,400 mi (3,860 km) of
the Pacific Ocean near the equator. It includes 8 of the 11 Line
Islands, including Kiritimati (formerly Christmas Island), as
well as the Gilbert and Phoenix groups and Banaba (formerly
Ocean Island). Tarawa is the capital. The population is nearly
all Micronesian, with about 30% concentrated on Tarawa. English
is the official language, and Kiribati, a Micronesian language,
is also spoken. Some 50% of the inhabitants are Roman Catholic,
while 40% are Protestant. Fishing and the growing of coconuts,
taro, breadfruit, and sweet potatoes form the basis of the
mainly subsistence economy. The mining of Banaba's once thick
phosphate deposits ended in 1979. Copra, coconuts, seaweed, and
fish are the chief exports; foodstuffs, machinery and equipment,
manufactured goods, and fuel are imported. Australia, Japan,
Fiji, and the Unites S