KIRIBATI

41 team members
Adopt-a-country school: Tereora College
Accommodation: Tereora College
Dining: Princess Ann Hall

Capital:    Bairki
Land Area:     811 sq km (34 islands)
Languages:    Kiribati, English
Currency:     Australian Dollar

Kiribati consists of 33 coral atolls spanning 811 km² of land in the Pacific Ocean. Straddling the equator the atolls’ capital is Bairki.
Kiribati was occupied by a single Micronesian ethnic group for over 2000 years. European contact came in the late 18th and 19th century.
In 1892, Kiribati became part of the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, and was administered by the West Pacific High Commission in Fiji.
The islands were occupied by the Japanese during World War II, and were the site of some of the fiercest fighting between Japan and the USA.
The transition to independence began in 1963 with the formation of legislative and executive councils under the supervision of a British Governor General, who performed the functions previously exercised by the High Commissioner.
The country is primarily identified as Micronesian, with a population of 105,432.
Whilst English is the language of the constitution and the law, the native Micronesian language of Te taetae vi Kiribati is widely spoken.
Christianity infused with indigenous beliefs is the main religion.