The World Factbook (1982)/Kiribati

by the Central Intelligence Agency

KIRIBATI
(formerly Gilbert Islands)

(See reference map X)

LAND

About 690 km²

WATER

Limits of territorial waters: 3 nm (fishing 200 nm)

Coastline: about 1,143 km

PEOPLE

Population: 59,000 (July 1982), average annual growth rate 1.1%

Nationality: noun—Kiribatian(s); adjective—Kiribati

Ethnic divisions: Micronesian

Religion: Catholic

Literacy: adult literacy ratio 90%

Labor force: 15,921 (1973); general unemployment rate 4.9%

GOVERNMENT

Official name: Republic of Kiribati

Type: republic; became independent 12 July 1979

Capital: Tarawa

Branches: 35-member parliament, nationally elected President

Government leader: President Ieremia TABAI

Political parties and leaders: Gilbertese National Party, Christian Democratic Party

Member of: ADB, GATT (de facto)

ECONOMY

GDP: $36.0 million (1979 est.), $630 per capita

Agriculture: copra, subsistence crops of vegetables, supplemented by domestic fishing

Industry: phosphate production, which as of May 1979 was expected to cease in mid-1979

Electric power: 2,000 kW capacity (1981); 6 million kWh produced (1981), 104 kWh per capita

Exports: $21.2 million (1978); 88% phosphate, 11.6% copra

Imports: $18.4 million (1978); foodstuffs, fuel, transportation equipment

Aid: Western (non-US) commitments (ODA; 1979), $46.0 million; Australia (1980-83), $8.1 million committed

Budget: $15.2 million (1979)

Monetary conversion rate: 0.90 Australian$=US$1

COMMUNICATIONS

Railroads: none

Highways: 483 km of motorable roads

Inland waterways: small network of canals, totaling 5 km, in Northern Line Islands

Ports: 3 minor

Civil air: 2 Trislanders, however, no major transport aircraft

Telecommunications: 1 AM broadcast station; 866 telephones (4.3 per 100 popl.)