Kiribati: Equatorial Island Nation

Kiribati, pronounced "Kiribas," consists of 33 coral atolls scattered across 1.4 million square miles of Pacific Ocean straddling the equator and International Date Line. As one of the world's lowest-lying nations, Kiribati faces existential threat from rising sea levels.

Kiribati includes the Line Islands and Phoenix Islands, with some of the world's largest marine protected areas. Tarawa Atoll, site of brutal WWII battle, is the capital location. The country's vast exclusive economic zone provides tuna fishing rights generating revenue. Most land is less than two meters above sea level.

Climate change threatens Kiribati's very existence, with some islands already experiencing regular flooding. The government has purchased land in Fiji for potential relocation. I-Kiribati maintain traditional navigation, fishing, and dance despite modernization. The country advocates globally for climate action while facing uncertain future.