Kiribati

Kiribati is an island republic in the central Pacific Ocean, made up of 33 atolls and reef islands in the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line groups, with its capital at South Tarawa. The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and later part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony, and Tarawa saw a fierce battle in 1943. It became independent in 1979, its name being the local form of 'Gilberts'.