Kiribati

 


What do you know about the islands of Kiribati? We've provided a very brief introduction to Kitibati below, together with a set of printables for the Kiribati flag, including bookmarks, jigsaw, notebooking pages, three sizes of flag and a colouring page.

Butaritari, Kiribati
Butaritari, Kiribati (photo thanks to KevGuy4101, Creative Commons Licence)

A Little Geography

  • The Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati is a group of 32 atolls and islands in the Pacific Ocean, 21 of which are inhabited by the population of around 100,000.
  • The islands lie roughly halfway between Hawaii and Australia.
  • The capital is Bairiki, on Tarawa Atoll.
  • There are three main island groupings: the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands, and the Line Islands.
  • Kiribati moved the International Date Line to include its easternmost islands on 1 January 1995, to make it the same day throughout the country.
  • Kiribati is one of the world's poorest countries with few natural resources.
  • Global warming and consequent rising sea-levels are encroaching on the land, and Kiribati is expected to be the first country to lose all its land to climate change. In April 2013 the President of Kiribati began to encourage the people of Kiribati to evacuate the islands and move elsewhere.

A Little History

  • The first settlers in Kiribati came from Southeast Asia about 4,000 to 5,000 years ago.
  • The first Europeans discovered Kiribati in the 1500s, with larger numbers arriving in the 1800s. The influx of Europeans in the 1800s caused problems for Kiribati, including the introduction of European diseases and local conflicts.
  • Kiribati was previously known as the Gilbert Islands after the British explorer Thomas Gilbert, who first saw the islands in 1788. The British took control in 1892, and the islands became a British Colony in 1916.
  • During World War II, the Japanese occupied the islands. The Battle of Tarawa was fought on 20–23 November 1943 at the Tarawa Atoll as part of Operation Galvanic, the U.S. invasion of the Gilberts. Nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans, and Americans died in the battle.
  • Kiribati became independent from the UK in 1979.

And Some Interesting Facts

  • Kiribati is the only nation in the world that lies in all four hemispheres of the world.
  • The highest point of Kiribati is just 81 m above sea level.
  • Two small uninhabited islands disappeared below the sea in 1999 due to rising sea levels.
  • The national currency is the Australian dollar. 
  • Kiribati is famous for Christmas Island (or Kiritimati), which has the greatest land area of any coral atoll in the world.

About the Kiribati Flag

Kiribati flag

The upper half of the flag has a red background with a gold frigatebird flying over a gold rising sun. The bottom half has three wavy horizontal blue stripes which represent the three oceans and three white wavy stripes which represent the country’s three groups; Gilbert, Pheonix and Line Islands. The sun has 17 rays as there were originally 17 islands.


Our Kiribati Resources

A Day In Kiribati Diary

A Day In Kiribati Diary

Find out a little about life in Kiribati, then write about a typical day on this diary template.

Climate Of Kiribati Worksheet

Climate Of Kiribati Worksheet

This fun climate worksheet asks the kids to describe the climate of Kiribati, then fill in the current weather conditions in Kiribati on a weather app template.

Culture In Kiribati

Culture In Kiribati Worksheet

It's fun to find out about different cultures around the world! Do some research on culture in Kirabati then record what you find on one of our worksheets (choose from blank or lined below).

Food From Kiribati Worksheet

Food From Kiribati Worksheet

Ask the kids to find out about the different types of food grown and eaten in Kiribati, then see if they can draw a typical meal on the plate. Perhaps you could try making some of the food and trying it for real if it looks nice!

Kiribati Coat Of Arms Worksheet

Kiribati Coat Of Arms Worksheet

The Kiribati coat of arms features the same design as the flag of Kiribati. Do some research about the coat of arms then write about when it was awarded and the significance of the different parts. Fancy designing your own coat of arms for Kiribati too?

Kiribati Compare And Contrast Worksheet

Kiribati Compare And Contrast Worksheet

Ever thought about what island life would be like? Compare and contrast your daily life with someone living in Kiribati with the help of this worksheet. 

 

Kiribati Facts Poster

Kiribati Facts Poster

Here's a handy facts poster all about Kiribati, with seven facts and the flag too!

Kiribati Factsheet

Kiribati Factsheet

This Kiribati factsheet is perfect for classroom displays or for printing and sticking into a lapbook.

Kiribati Location Worksheet

Kiribati Location Worksheet

Use these two location worksheets to help children discover and remember where Kiribati is, and its position and neighbours within Oceania.

Kiribati National Flower Colouring Page

Kiribati National Flower Colouring Page

Colour in this beautiful illustration of the Plumeria Frangipanis, which is considered to be the national flower of Kiribati.

Fun Fact: Frangipanis won't burn except in extreme (over 500 degrees) temperatures.

Kiribati Picture Gallery

Kiribati Picture Gallery

There's space to draw 5 pictures of Kiribati on this picture gallery printable. Or you could print and cut out some pictures that you find and stick them in. Either way, you'll end up with a lovely display!

Kiribati Postcard 1

Kiribati Postcard 1

Pretend you're staying in Kiribati, then write and send this postcard to a friend.

Kiribati Postcard 2

Kiribati Postcard 2

Find out a little about Kiribati then use this template to make your own postcard to send from there...

Kiribati Poster 1

Kiribati Poster 1

Kiribati is made up of lots of islands and atolls, and here is a poster featuring one of the many beaches!

Kiribati Poster 2

Kiribati Poster 2

This simple poster features the interesting flag of Kiribati. It's easy to print and will make a great focal point for displays...

Kiribati Story Paper

Kiribati Story Paper

Write a story set on Kiribati with its sandy white beaches and blue lagoons, or record your research on the country here on this story paper.

Kiribati Study Pack

Kiribati Study Pack

This bumper study pack has 25 pages full of worksheets and creative activities to help your Kiribati studies.

Kiribati Tourist Leaflet

Kiribati Tourist Leaflet

A picture of one of Kiribati's beaches graces the front page of this 3-fold tourist leaflet. You just need to fill the inside of the leaflet with information about the country!

Kiribati Travel Brochure Worksheet

Kiribati Travel Brochure Worksheet

This fun worksheet asks the kids to become travel writers! Can they write some content for a travel brochure to Kiribati, and include an eye-catching headline and some good descriptive text?

Kiribati Word Search

Kiribati Word Search

There is some interesting word to do with Kiribati hidden in the word search grid. Try and find them all if you can! A fun way to kick off your studies on Kiribati...

Kiribati Worksheet

Kiribati Worksheet

Find out some basic facts about Kiribati then fill in this simple worksheet.

Packing For Kiribati Worksheet

Packing For Kiribati Worksheet

Kiribati would be a nice place to visit, but can you think about what you would need to pack if you were visiting there? Write or draw everything you might need in the suitcase. 

Wildlife Of Kiribati Worksheet

Wildlife Of Kiribati Worksheet

The location of Kiribati, in the central Pacific Ocean, means it is full of rare plant and animal species native to these islands. Fill in the boxes on the worksheet with the information you can find about them!

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