Lived there 1974-1976. Small and hot. Formerly a British colony, a part of the Gilbert Islands until independence in 1979, when the group became Kiribati (pronounced Ki-ri-bahss]. Liam - if you have my pale blue toy train carriage that you stole during my third birthday party out there, I'd like it back please. If global warming becomes fashionable, this nation could disappear fairly quickly as it is lacking in high ground.
This was the site of some very bloody battles in WWII between the Americans and the Japanese; hence the warships link.