1985 Edition

Agriculture

limited; copra, subsistence crops of vegetables, supplemented by domestic fishing

Aid

Western (non-US) commitments ODA and OOF (1970-82), $168 million; Australia (1980-83), $8.1 million committed

Airfields

216 total, 196 usable; 14 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m, 4 with runways 2,440-3,659 m, 47 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Branches

Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, 82 Air Force; paramilitary General Service Unit

unicameral legislature (35-member House of Assembly); nationally elected President

Budget

$15.2 million (1979)

Capital

Tarawa

Civil air

9 major transport aircraft

Coastline

about 1,143 km People

Electric power

2,700 kW capacity (1984); 8 million kWh produced (1984), 126 kWh per capita

Ethnic divisions

Micronesian

Exports

phosphate, formerly 80% of exports, exhausted in 1981; copra accounted for 80% (A$l. 45 million) in 1982

GDP

$20.4 million (1983 est.), $340 per capita

Government leader

leremia T. TABAI, President (since July 1979) Political parties and leaders: Gilbertese National Party, Christian Democratic Party

Highways

55,400 km total; 6,800 km paved, 4,150 km gravel, remainder improved earth

483 km of motorable roads

Imports

$15 million (1979); foodstuffs, fuel, transportation equipment

Industry

formerly phosphate production; supply exhausted by mid-1981

Inland waterways

part of Lake Victoria system is within boundaries of Kenya

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

Labor force

15,921 (1973); general unemployment rate 4.9% Government

Language

English (official), Gilbertese

Limits of territorial waters

3 nm (fishing 200 nm)

Literacy

90%

Member of

ADB, Commonwealth, GATT (de facto), ICAO Economy

Military manpower

males 15-49, 4,016,000; 2,472,000 fit for military service; no conscription 1100km t*"* V" North Paciftc Ocean Christmas • Gilbert • •• Islands ' Phoenix Islands Sijuth Pacific Ocean See regional mip X . Line Islands Land About 690 km2; slightly smaller than New York City Water

Monetary conversion rate

1.0392 Australian$=US$l (23 February 1983) Communications

Nationality

noun — Kiribatian(s); adjective— Kiribati

Official name

Republic of Kiribati

Pipelines

refined products, 483 km

Population

62,000 (July 1985), average annual growth rate 1.6%

Ports

1 major (Mombasa)

3 minor

Railroads

2,040 km 1.000-meter gauge

none

Religion

Roman Catholic, Protestant

Telecommunications

in top group of African systems; consists of radio-relay links, open-wire lines, and radiocommunication stations; 216,700 telephones (1.3 per 100 popl.); 11 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV stations; Atlantic and Indian Ocean satellite service from 1 station Defense Forces

Type

republic