Tarawa

Map of the Tarawa atoll

For other uses, see Tarawa (disambiguation)}}}.

Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. It is the location of the capital of the Republic of Kiribati. The island is most famous for being the site of the Battle of Tarawa during World War II.

Contents

1 Geography

1.1 Islets
1.2 Towns and villages

2 Demographics
3 Government administration
4 History
5 Economy
6 Miscellaneous
7 External links

Geography

Tarawa and its southern neighbor Maiana from space (1998).

Tarawa consists of around 24 larger islets, of which at least 8 are inhabited. The largest islet (South Tarawa) extends from Bonriki (southeast corner of the atoll) along the entire south side but Betio of the lagoon to Bairiki. A causeway now connects Bairiki to Betio (Japanese causeway). The largest town, Bikenibeu, and the only airport on Tarawa, Bonriki International Airport, are on South Tarawa.

Islets

Abanuea (submerged since 1999 due to changing ocean currents and sea level rise)
Abaokoro
Abatao
Bairiki
Betio
Bikeman (now submerged due to changing ocean currents: [how it looked in 1975])
Biketawa
Bonriki
Buariki
Buota
Kainaba
Marenanuka
Na'a
Nabeina
Notoua
Nuatabu
Tabiang
Tabiteuea
Tabonibara
Taratai
Tearinibai
Tebua Tarawa (submerged since 1999 due to changing ocean currents and sea level rise)
Temaiku
...

Towns and villages

Abatao - Bairiki - Bikenibeu - Bonriki - Buariki - Buota - Eita - Marenanuka - Taborio - Teaoraereke

Villages on Tarawa

Demographics

The population (as of 1990) was 28,802. The population is mostly Gilbertese (Micronesian).

Government administration

Tarawa atoll has three administrative subdivisions:

Teinainano Urban Council (or TUC), from Bairiki to Bonriki, known in English as South Tarawa, the capital of the Republic of Kiribati;
Betio Town Council (or BTC), on Betio Islet;
North Tarawa or Tarawa Ieta (all the islets on the east side north of Bonriki).

The main administrative centre for the Republic of Kiribati is located at Bairiki on South Tarawa. The Parliament meets on Ambo islet and some administration offices are on Betio Islet and in Bikenibeu; and one is located on Kiritimati.

History

Japanese World War II Defences on Tarawa

During World War II, Tarawa was occupied by the Japanese, and starting on November 20, 1943 it was the scene of the bloody Battle of Tarawa. On that day United States Marines landed on Tarawa and Makin atolls and suffered heavy losses from Japanese soldiers occupying entrenched positions on the atolls.

Economy

Betio Islet includes the main port through which copra and pearl shell are exported.

The currency of Kiribati is the Australian dollar.

Miscellaneous

Bonriki International Airport, circa 1975

USS Tarawa (LHA-1) is the name of the first LHA-class amphibous assault ship.

Tarawa is the site of a teacher's training college and a marine training school, as well as an international airport.

The book The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost is a humorous account of the author's two years living on Tarawa.

Tarawa is the site of the 1944 Pulitzer Prize winning photograph depicting a blown up bunker by Frank Filan.

External links

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