Gilbert islands, till recently a British colony, became independent under the name Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas) in July 1979.

These islands, spread over a vast area in South West Pacific, number around 33. All islands except Ocean Island (Banaba) are low atolls with coconuts, pandauns and bread fruit forming the main vegetation. The population is Micronesian and Polynesian. Agriculture and fishing are the main occupations. Ocean Island has high grade phosphate deposits which are being mined and exported. Copra is the other major export item.