Kiritimati Island
Kiritimati Island
Blog Article
Christmas Island or Kristmas, in international literature - Kiritimati (English Christmas Island, Kiribati) is surely an atoll in the Line Archipelago, belongs to Kiribati.
Kiritimati Island, also called Christmas 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 notable for its size, biodiversity, and one of a kind heritage.
Crucial Facts
Site:
Situated in the road Islands, Kiritimati is 2,one hundred sixty kilometers (one,340 miles) south of Honolulu, Hawaii.
It lies just west on the International Date Line, rendering it among the list of very first sites on the planet to greet The brand new working day.
Dimension:
It is the biggest coral atoll on the globe by land location, masking close to 388 square kilometers (150 square miles).
Its considerable lagoon method adds A different five hundred sq. kilometers of h2o.
Population:
About 6,000 inhabitants, generally concentrated in villages like Tabwakea, Banana, and London.
Geography and Surroundings
Atoll Framework:
Kiritimati is a hoop-shaped atoll with a considerable, 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, which makes it a globally important hen sanctuary.
Marine existence is abundant, with coral reefs supporting diverse fish species.
Climate:
The island ordeals a tropical weather with minor variation in temperature yr-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 Prepare dinner, who learned it on Christmas Eve in 1777.
World War II:
Made use of for a strategic spot by Allied forces.
Nuclear Testing:
The island was a web page for British and American nuclear screening within the fifties and 1960s, leaving historic scars but additionally inadvertently protecting the island from overdevelopment.
Regular Procedures:
People keep aspects of Kiribati's classic Micronesian culture, like dance, fishing, and native crafts.
Tourism and Routines
Birdwatching:
The island is a paradise for ornithologists resulting from its diverse and diverse seabird species.
Fishing:
Kiritimati is usually a planet-class desired destination for fly fishing, especially for bonefish and trevally.
Diving and Snorkeling:
The coral reefs offer you Remarkable possibilities to examine maritime life.
Ecotourism:
Site visitors can examine the island’s lagoons, salt flats, and natural elegance within a lower-effects fashion.
Challenges
Increasing Sea Amounts:
Being a very low-lying atoll, Kiritimati faces major threats from local climate improve and soaring sea concentrations.
Sustainability:
Confined freshwater means and overfishing are ongoing fears for that community populace.Kiritimati Island