Banaba Island - Limestone Phosphate Island In Kiribati

On the banaba Island of Kiritimati, in the country of Kiribati, there is a community known as banaba. It may be found in the northern part of the island, not far from the Cassidy International Airport. In 2015, 1,209 people were living in the hamlet, making it the third most populous settlement on the island.

The coral and phosphate formation of banaba, which is a part of Kiribati and is located in the west-central Pacific Ocean, is also known as Ocean Island. It is about 6 miles in diameter and is situated around 250 miles (400 kilometers) to the west of the closest Gilbert Islands.

The summit of banaba is at an elevation of 285 feet (87 meters) above mean sea level, making it the highest point in all of Kiribati. The British ship Ocean first saw the island in 1804, and in 1900, the island was officially included in British territory. Phosphate was first mined on the island in the same year that it was first shipped off the island.

History Of Banaba Island

COPYRIGHT_JANE: Published on https://www.janeresture.com/banaba/ by Jane Resture on 2022-10-03T07:05:21.154Z

The yearly output had reached a peak of 550,000 tons by the beginning of the 1970s, but all the reserves had been depleted by the time Kiribati gained its independence in 1979. In 1919, the island became a part of the crown colony that included the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. From 1942 to 1945, the island was occupied by troops belonging to Japan.

The Japanese slaughtered all but one of the remaining 150 Gilbertese people in August 1945, after Japan had already agreed to the terms of surrender, and after they had deported many of the local Micronesian inhabitants (including both Banabans and Gilbertese) to the Gilbert and Caroline islands.

This took place after Japan had already agreed to the terms of surrender. After the battle was over, the British government moved a lot of Banabans to Rabi, which is in Fiji and about 1,300 miles (2,100 kilometers) southeast of banaba.

Separate From The Gilbert Islands Is Banaba Island

The banaba Island made many attempts throughout the 1970s to break away from the Gilbert Islands, who at the time were very close to gaining independence from Kiribati. The arrangement has resulted in only a scant repopulation of the island.

Even though they have been granted ownership of banaba and dual citizenship in both Kiribati and Fiji since the country's independence. The seat of government is located at Tabiang. The area is 2 square miles (5 square km).

Ways To Experience Banaba Island

• Coron to Culion Island Escapade Tour (Shared Tour).
• Coron Island Escapade Tour C.
• Coron Island Tour A (Shared Tour).
• Coron Ultimate Tour (Shared Tour).

Popular Hotels In Banaba Island, Kiribati

• At Lagoon View Resort.
• Dreamers Guest House.
• Terau Beach Bungalow.
• The George Hotel, Kiribati.
• Utirerei Motel.
• Ikari House.

Population And Land Of Banaba Island

Around 4,000 Banabans were estimated to have lived in the region around the turn of the 21st century. In 1971, the people of banaba filed a lawsuit against the British government, demanding a larger part of the royalties from phosphate mining as well as compensation for the damage done to the island's ecosystem.

People Also Ask

What Happened On Banaba Island?

On the 20th of August 1945, Japanese forces arrived on Ocean Island and slaughtered all but one of the last 200 Banabans there.

Does Anyone Live On Banaba Island?

Although there are just 300 individuals living in banaba itself, the town has a diaspora population of around 6,000 people.

When Did The British Remove Banaba Island?

After being relocated from the island of banaba (also known as Ocean Island), the Banaban people were first seen on the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.

Conclusion

Banaba Island is located in Kiribati's territory in the Pacific Ocean. It is the westernmost point of Kiribati, a single rising coral island located west of the Gilbert Island Chain. It is located 185 miles east of Nauru, which is also its closest neighbor.

About The Authors

Jane Resture - Since she embarked on her first world trip in 2002, Jane Resture spent the past decades sharing her personal journey and travel tips with people around the world. She has traveled to over 80 countries and territories, where she experienced other cultures, wildlife she had only read about in books, new foods, new people, and new amazing experiences. Jane believes that travel is for everyone and it helps us learn about ourselves and the world around us. Her goal is to help more people from more backgrounds experience the joy of exploration because she trusts that travel opens the door to the greatest, most unforgettable experiences life can offer and this builds a kinder, more inclusive, more open-minded world.