Speaking one national language and sharing a common simple lifestyle, the 90 000 population of Kiribati inhabits a country of 33 atolls and reef islands stretching 5000 kilometres (km) across the central-western Pacific.  The total land area of 726 km2 falls into three island groups, lying within three exclusive economic zones, which together cover 3.5 million km2.  The people of Kiribati are Micronesian in origin.

Vegetables can be produced only in carefully enriched soils and the main plants are coconuts, pandanus and breadfruit trees.  Fish are the main source of food.  Fishing, sailing, copra cutting and babai (taro) cultivation are the main activities.

A growing population and fixed amount of domestic resources dominate concerns about the future of Kiribati.  During 2000-2003, the total population is estimated to have increased by 6000 persons, with two thirds of that increase taking place in South Tarawa.  According to estimates by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the United Nations, the total population will double by 2025 and the population of South Tarawa (which has an annual growth rate of 5.2%) will double by 2015.  Thirty-five per cent of the population is below 15 years of age.  This demographic structure ensures increasing pressure for services and jobs; and serious and growing environmental problems (water quality, waste, sanitation, lagoon pollution) exacerbated by South Tarawa’s congestion.  Crowded and unsanitary conditions contribute to a high incidence of diarrhoeal diseases and a high death rate for young children.

The climate is tropical and the wet season is from November to April. While rain is frequent in the north of the Gilberts Group and in the Line Islands, the south can experience severe droughts.

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