Where Is Kiritimati Christmas Island Kiribati?
Pacific Ocean
Kiritimati Atoll, also called Christmas Atoll, coral island in the Northern Line Islands, part of Kiribati, in the west-central Pacific Ocean. It is the largest island of purely coral formation in the world, having a circumference of about 100 miles (160 km).
Why is Kiritimati called Christmas Island?
Kiritimati (also known as Christmas Island) is a Pacific Ocean atoll in the northern Line Islands. The name is derived from the English word “Christmas” written in Gilbertese according to its phonology, in which the combination ti is pronounced s, giving [kiˈrɪsmæs].
Is Kiritimati inhabited?
Kiritimati Island is in the world’s farthest forward time zone, UTC+14, and is one of the first inhabited places on Earth to experience the New Year (see also Caroline Atoll, Kiribati).
Where is Christmas Island near Hawaii?
The island was formerly known (until 1981) as Christmas Island. Kiritimati is one of the Line Islands, a chain of atolls and coral islands on both sides of the equator in the central Pacific Ocean, 2,000 km (1,250 mi) south of Hawaii. Location of Kiritimati.
Did Captain Cook Discover Christmas Island?
Kiritimati (Christmas Island): Documentation. The small, barren, inhospitable atoll was first discovered by Captain James Cook on Christmas Eve, 1777; since then the island has been the victim of a series of exploitations.
Who owns Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean?
Australia and New Zealand buy the Christmas Island Phosphate company and Christmas Island is administered by the Colony of Singapore. Sovereignty is transferred by the United Kingdom to Australia and Christmas Island becomes an Australian Territory.
What did Kiribati used to be called?
Gilbert
Kiribati and Tuvalu were formerly joined as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. The name Kiribati is the local rendition of Gilberts in the Gilbertese, or I-Kiribati, language, which has 13 sounds; ti is pronounced /s/ or like the word see—thus Kiribati, pronounced “Ki-ri-bas.”
How big is Kiritimati?
150 mi²
Kiritimati/Area
What is the capital of Kiribati?
Tarawa
Kiribati/Capitals
Tarawa, coral atoll of the Gilbert Islands and capital of Kiribati, in the west-central Pacific Ocean. It lies 2,800 miles (4,500 km) northeast of Australia and is the most populous atoll in the Gilberts.
What country does Kiritimati belong to?
Kiritimati or Christmas Island is a Pacific Ocean coral atoll in the northern Line Islands. It is part of the Republic of Kiribati. Its Gilbertese name is the rendition of the English word “Christmas” according to its phonology, in which the combination ti is pronounced s, and the name is thus pronounced / kiˈrɪsmæs / .
What to do in Kiribati?
The main thing to do in Kiribati is enjoy the beaches and water, with lots of options for swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling. Fishing is also a big deal, with world class bone fishing from the main center of Tarawa .
Where is Kiribati located?
Kiribati is located along the equator and the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean. The Republic of Kiribati is made up of about 32 atolls and the raised coral island of Banaba (also called Ocean Island).
Is Christmas Island in Australia?
About Christmas Island : The Christmas Island is a small overseas territory of Australia located in the Indian Ocean near the Island of Java. The island has a remote location and minimal human contact.