Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Kiribati

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Kiribati.

Terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs
Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
Weather Patterns: http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/KRXX0002?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point: 81 — unnamed location on Banaba 81 m
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources: Fish, phosphate (production discontinued in 1979), and copra are the primary natural resources of Kiribati. The country's vast exclusive economic zone spanning over 3.5 million square kilometers in the central Pacific provides significant marine resources, making fisheries — particularly tuna — the most economically important resource. Licensing fees from foreign fishing fleets represent a major source of government revenue. Copra, derived from dried coconut meat, remains a traditional agricultural resource and export commodity, though the sector faces ongoing challenges from fluctuating global prices and the impacts of climate change on low-lying atoll environments.
Natural Hazards: typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level

Current Environmental Issues: heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk
International Agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Detailed geography