Kuria (islands)
Template: Infobox Atoll / Maintenance / height Missing
Kuria ( formerly: Woodle 's Iceland ) is an atoll with two islands in the north of the Equator located central part of the Gilbert Islands in the archipelago of the present state of Kiribati in the Pacific. It is located northwest of the Aranuka Atoll.
Geography
The two islands of the atoll, Buariki Oneeke and are only separated by a 20 meter wide channel ( low-water area Te breeti ) from each other, which was formerly spanned by a bridge. Today, they are joined by the only 10 -meter-long dam, the Itintoa Causeway. Due to the interruption of the water passage of the habitat of the garfish ( Rynchorhamphus Georgian ) was impaired, which are thus no longer available for fishing in coastal regions.
Surrounded by a coral reef, the islands, which is wider on the east side than on the west side. The atoll has due to its shape, similar to two triangles which touch at the tops, no lagoon. The reef covers 13.02 km ² on a base of 12.7 km ². Both islands have smaller boat channels through the reef.
The land area is 15.48 km ². Main island is Buariki with the eponymous capital. The neighboring Aranuka also has an island with the common name Buariki. In the north and in the south of Oneeke of Buariki located respectively brackish water fish ponds, the King's Fish Ponds.
Population
According to the census of 2010 living on both islands 980 people in six villages that make up just under 1 % of the Kiribati population.
Vital statistics
Demographics
History
The initial review is the master of a First Fleet Thomas Gilbert attributed to the ship Charlotte and John Marshall on the Scarborough in 1788 on a trip from Port Jackson, but not explored the islands.
At the time of the " Kingdom of Abemama " in the second half of the 19th century Kuria Karotu was annexed by the chief Tem from Abemama, which formed a joint dominion with the also conquered Aranuka. The rule went to his nephew Tem Karotus, the king Tem Binoka, also called Tembinok ' about.
Kuria was the seat of the first British colonial administrator for the central and southern Gilbert Islands, George Mac Ghie Murdoch, whose grave can still be visited today.
Modern Times
After the colonial period Kuria made with Maiana, Abemama Aranuka and Nonouti the administrative district headquarters Gilbert Islands.
The local concerns are regulated by an island council ( Kuria Iceland Council), headquartered Bouatoa.
Kuria territory a Member of Parliament in the Kiribati Parliament maneaba ni Maungatabu in South Tarawa, for the 10th Parliament 2011-2015 Tom Murdoch was elected.
Traffic
The lying near the village Buariki Kuria Airport is served three times a week by the state-owned airline Air Kiribati, from January 2009 also of the private Air Coral Sun Airways. Domestic routes to Kiribati 's main port Betio in South Tarawa.