About Kiribati
A concise overview of the country’s people, main settlements, travel considerations, and modern challenges.
Population and key settlements
Kiribati is a Pacific island nation made up of widely dispersed atolls and islands. The population is concentrated across a few main hubs, with the capital area serving as the primary administrative and economic center.
The capital is South Tarawa, which hosts many government services, schools, and critical infrastructure. Other population centers are spread across islands and atolls, often requiring sea or air travel to reach.
Beyond the capital, a few settlements are especially memorable for their distinctive names: London, Paris, Poland, and Banana. These are often mentioned in discussions about local geography and community life.
How to get there and practical challenges
Reaching Kiribati can be demanding due to long distances and limited connections. International travel typically involves multiple legs, and schedules may be less frequent than for major hubs.
- Connectivity: phone coverage and mobile data can be limited depending on the island, with varying reliability and speed.
- Internet access: bandwidth constraints and high costs can affect day-to-day online activity.
- Climate pressure: Kiribati is among the countries most exposed to sea-level rise and climate-related impacts that affect land, infrastructure, and long-term resilience.
Planning ahead is essential: confirm transport options early, expect potential delays, and consider redundant communications where possible.