Tarawa

Tarawa
User:Plaga med · CC0 · source
Name	Tarawa
Location	Pacific Ocean
Archipelago	Gilbert Islands
Area	31.02
Country	Kiribati
Population	56,284
Density	1814

Tarawa is the capital and largest island of the Republic of Kiribati, with a population of over 56,000 people, and is home to the Bairiki National Stadium and the University of the South Pacific campus. The island is located in the Pacific Ocean and is part of the Gilbert Islands chain, which also includes Abaiang, Abemama, and Kuria. The island has a diverse geography, with a mix of coral reefs, lagoons, and atolls, similar to those found in the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. The island is also home to the Kiribati National Museum and the Tungaru Central Hospital.

Geography

The geography of Tarawa is characterized by a long, narrow strip of land, with a maximum width of approximately 800 meters, and is surrounded by a coral reef and a lagoon, similar to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The island is composed of holocene limestone and sand, and is covered with coconut trees, pandanus, and other tropical vegetation, similar to the islands of Hawaii. The island's terrain is generally flat, with an average elevation of less than 2 meters above sea level, making it vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges, as seen in the Maldives and Tuvalu. The island is also home to several islets, including Bairiki, Betio, and Bonriki, which are connected by a series of causeways and bridges, similar to those found in the Netherlands.

History

The history of Tarawa dates back to the 14th century, when it was first settled by Micronesian people, who were later influenced by Polynesian and Melanesian cultures, similar to the history of Fiji and the history of Tonga. In the 19th century, the island was colonized by Britain, and became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony, which also included the Ellice Islands, now known as Tuvalu. During World War II, the island was occupied by Japan, and was the site of the Battle of Tarawa, which was fought between United States Marine Corps and Imperial Japanese Army forces, involving notable figures such as Holland Smith and Keiji Shibazaki. After the war, the island became part of the British Commonwealth, and later gained independence as part of the Republic of Kiribati in 1979, with the support of the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Climate

The climate of Tarawa is tropical, with high temperatures and high humidity throughout the year, similar to the climate of Singapore and the climate of Malaysia. The island experiences a wet season from November to March, and a dry season from April to October, with an average annual rainfall of over 2,000 mm, comparable to the climate of the Philippines and the climate of Indonesia. The island is also vulnerable to cyclones and storm surges, which can cause significant damage to the island's infrastructure and ecosystem, as seen in the Cyclone Pam disaster in Vanuatu. The island's climate is also influenced by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), which can impact the island's fisheries and agriculture, similar to the climate of Peru and the climate of Chile.

Economy

The economy of Tarawa is primarily based on fishing and copra production, with a growing tourism industry, similar to the economy of the Maldives and the economy of the Seychelles. The island is also home to a number of small businesses, including retail shops, restaurants, and hotels, which cater to the island's growing population and expatriate community, including Australian and New Zealand citizens. The island's economy is also supported by remittances from Kiribati citizens living abroad, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, as well as foreign aid from organizations such as the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. The island is also a member of the Pacific Islands Forum and the Pacific Community, which provide support for the island's economic development and regional integration, similar to the economy of Papua New Guinea and the economy of Samoa.

Demographics

The demographics of Tarawa are characterized by a young and growing population, with a median age of less than 20 years, similar to the demographics of Uganda and the demographics of Niger. The island has a diverse population, with a mix of Micronesian, Polynesian, and Melanesian cultures, as well as a significant expatriate community, including Chinese, Indian, and European citizens. The island's population is also influenced by migration and urbanization, with many people moving to the island from other parts of Kiribati and the Pacific Islands, similar to the demographics of Fiji and the demographics of Tonga. The island is also home to a number of educational institutions, including the University of the South Pacific and the Kiribati Institute of Technology, which provide training and education for the island's population, as well as healthcare services provided by the Tungaru Central Hospital and the World Health Organization.

Battle_of_Tarawa

The Battle of Tarawa was a major battle fought during World War II, between United States Marine Corps and Imperial Japanese Army forces, involving notable figures such as Alexander Vandegrift and Tomoyuki Yamashita. The battle took place from November 20 to November 23, 1943, and was part of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, which also included the Battle of Makin and the Battle of Kwajalein. The battle was one of the bloodiest in the Pacific War, with over 1,000 United States Marine Corps personnel killed and over 2,000 wounded, as well as significant losses for the Imperial Japanese Army, including the Japanese 3rd Special Base Force and the Japanese 111th Infantry Regiment. The battle was a significant turning point in the war, as it marked the beginning of the Allied advance across the Pacific Islands, involving notable events such as the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa, and ultimately led to the Japanese surrender and the end of the war, with the support of the United Nations and the Potsdam Declaration.