Nikunau

Template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / height missing

Nikunau is an upscale Atoll, part of the archipelago of the Gilbert Islands. Politically, the island belongs to the nation of Kiribati.

Geography

Nikunau consists of two unequal parts, which are connected by a narrow, at its narrowest point less than two hundred meters wide isthmus. In the northern part of the island there are four hypersaline lakes, the remains of the former lagoon, from north to south:

A narrow reef surrounds the island. The island has a rather dense vegetation of coconut palms and pandanus trees.

Population

Populated the island of about 1,900 people. These are distributed across six villages on the west coast, each with its own maneaba, which are listed below from north to south. Only the latter two are on the southern part of the island:

The numbers in the comparison of the censuses in 1978 and 2005 show a concentration process: The main town Rungata increased, the remaining places decreased.

Culture

Nikunau is known for his long-running within Kiribati Botakis ( celebrations ), which can last for a night, but also up to a month, but also for the many flies.

Surfing

The island is a paradise for surfers. The normal waves are between 60 cm and 2.4 m high. On the north coast near the airfield there are due to a tidal meeting place, the biggest waves of the island. Here meet different waves and cause bigger waves and currents.

Traffic

The island is connected to the destinations served by Air Kiribati airfield Nikunau with the other islands of the archipelago.