Background The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship with Kiribati.

NOTE: The information regarding Kiribati on this page is re-published from the 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Kiribati Introduction 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Kiribati Introduction 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.