Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Kiribati

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Kiribati.

Terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs
Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
Weather Patterns: http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/KRXX0002?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point: 81 — unnamed location on Banaba 81 m
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979)
Natural Hazards: typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level

Current Environmental Issues: heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to heavy migration mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk
International Agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Detailed geography