Kiritimati Island
Kiritimati Island
Blog Article
Xmas Island or Kristmas, in foreign literature - Kiritimati (English Christmas Island, Kiribati) is surely an atoll in the Line Archipelago, belongs to Kiribati.
Kiritimati Island, also called Xmas Island, is usually a remote coral atoll located in the central Pacific Ocean. It is an element on the Republic of Kiribati and is also noteworthy for its measurement, biodiversity, and special history.
Vital Specifics
Area:
Positioned in the Line Islands, Kiritimati is two,160 kilometers (1,340 miles) south of Honolulu, Hawaii.
It lies just west of the Global Day Line, which makes it among the to start with areas on this planet to greet the new day.
Sizing:
It really is the most important coral atoll on earth by land space, covering around 388 sq. kilometers (a hundred and fifty sq. miles).
Its substantial lagoon process provides An additional 500 square kilometers of drinking water.
Populace:
All-around six,000 residents, mainly concentrated in villages like Tabwakea, Banana, and London.
Geography and Natural environment
Atoll Composition:
Kiritimati is a hoop-formed atoll with a significant, shallow lagoon at its Centre and a series of smaller lagoons and salt flats.
Biodiversity:
The island is house to several seabird colonies, like species for instance frigatebirds, terns, and boobies, rendering it a globally major hen sanctuary.
Marine existence is plentiful, with coral reefs supporting various fish species.
Climate:
The island experiences a tropical local climate with very little variation in temperature 12 months-round.
Rainfall is sporadic, affected by El Niño and La Niña designs.
Cultural and Historical Importance
Discovery:
The island was named "Christmas Island" by Captain James Cook, who found out it on Xmas Eve in 1777.
Planet War II:
Utilized as a strategic locale by Allied forces.
Nuclear Screening:
The island was a website for British and American nuclear tests while in the 1950s and sixties, leaving historical scars and also inadvertently safeguarding the island from overdevelopment.
Conventional Tactics:
Citizens maintain areas of Kiribati's conventional Micronesian lifestyle, which includes dance, fishing, and native crafts.
Tourism and Routines
Birdwatching:
The island is usually a paradise for ornithologists on account of its diverse and diverse seabird species.
Fishing:
Kiritimati is usually a planet-course desired destination for fly fishing, especially for bonefish and trevally.
Diving and Snorkeling:
The coral reefs offer you exceptional chances to take a look at marine existence.
Ecotourism:
People can take a look at the island’s lagoons, salt flats, and all-natural splendor in a very low-influence method.
Problems
Climbing Sea Concentrations:
As a low-lying atoll, Kiritimati faces substantial hazards from local weather modify and growing sea stages.
Sustainability:
Constrained freshwater assets and overfishing are ongoing considerations to the neighborhood population.Kiritimati Island