Tarawa
Template: Infobox Atoll / Maintenance / height Missing
Tarawa ( in earlier letters also: Tarowa ) is an atoll in the Pacific Ocean with a population of about 50,000, mostly from the ethnic group of Micronesians. The atoll was once the main atoll in the former British colony of the Gilbert and Elliceinseln, then the Gilbert Islands and is now the main atoll of the Republic of Kiribati with capital South Tarawa.
Geography
Tarawa consists of at least 24 islands of which 16 are inhabited. The largest island is Bonriki on which the Bonriki International Airport is located, which is currently only serviced international airport of Kiribati. The largest city is Betio on the homonymous island in the southwest of the atoll. It has an angular shape with a north-south chain of islands, the North Tarawa, and subsequent southern east-west chain of islands, the South Tarawa, both defining an open westward large lagoon.
Towns and villages
Abatao - Bairiki - Betio - Bikenibeu - Buariki - Buota - Eita - Marenanuka - Taborio - Teaoraereke
Maps
Current Map
Management
The atoll has several administrative units:
- Teinainano Urban Council ( or TUC), from Bairiki to Bonriki, better known as South Tarawa. This district is the capital of the Republic;
- Betio Town Council ( or BTC), on the small island of Betio;
- Tarawa Ieta or North Tarawa (all islands in the north).
The main administrative center for the Republic of Kiribati is on Bairiki, one of the southernmost islands of Tarawa. Some ministries are often located on Betio and Bikenibeu, one on Kiritimati.
History
See also: Battle of the Gilbert Islands and Japanese fortifications on Tarawa
During World War II Tarawa was occupied 1941-1943 by Japan. On November 20, 1943 Tarawa was the site of a bloody battle. On this day, landed soldiers of the U.S. Marine Corps on Tarawa and came under heavy fire from the coastal guns of the Japanese army. However, the Marines succeeded, after three days, take the atoll.
Economy
On the small island of Betio is the main port, are exported from which the natural products copra, pearl oysters, shark fin, sea cucumber and seaweed ( Bêche - de-mer ).
One of the largest employers on Tarawa is the company SPMS, South Pacific Marine Service. Currently, more than 1,400 sailors for SPMS in use worldwide.
On Tarawa, there is a training school for teachers, a Marine Training Centre, Kiribati campus of the University of the South Pacific, the Ethnographic Museum, Te umanibong, the administrative centers of the main churches and the state hospital.
Miscellaneous
The United States Navy named USS Tarawa with two warships to the island, they also the name Tarawa class derives.
Overpopulation
Various places on the atoll are facing the problem of overpopulation. Because of unemployment, rising sea levels due to climate change and salination of water sources, many residents of the outer islands have migrated to the atoll. Most immigrants have settled in informal settlements in South Tarawa, where the most populous cities in Kiribati are. The poor living conditions in places such as Betio increase the vulnerability and marginalization of immigrants from the outermost islands.
The national government has made plans to combat the problems. These plans include bank protection, the establishment of new neighborhoods and labor mobility programs for emigrants to New Zealand and Australia.