However, the major attraction of Kiribati island group is its nature and it makes a perfect destination for bird lovers, nature enthusiasts, divers, windsurfers and just lovers of water sports.
The capital of Kiribati island group is Tarawa, which is not a single town but a group of islands surrounded by a coral atoll. It is home to the international airport, President's Office and Residence, the central government offices, Parliament building, central post office, bank, library and archives, several economy hotels and other official buildings. Tarawa belongs to the Gilbert island group.
The treasure of the Gilbert Islands is Butaritari, the greenest island of Kiribati Republic, with breadfruit, coconut, pandanus and other fruit-bearing trees flourishing on its fertile soils. The island is located not far from Tarawa and along with green foliage and flowering trees, it exemplifies numerous war relics including downed aircraft.
Perhaps, the most interesting and extraordinary island of Kiribati Island group is Kiritimati (Christmas) Island. Kiritimati is the largest coral atoll in the world and over hundred lakes and ponds, homes to a wide variety of birds dot the landscape of the island. The major settlements bear quite peculiar names, - London, Paris and Banana. The Bay of Wrecks, a large bay on the east coast is a cemetery of numerous ships.
The Phoenix Group comprises eight islands, few of which have ever seen a permanent population. Among all Phoenix Islands, Sydney is worth visiting. Sydney is the southeastern island of the Phoenix Group that looks like a triangle with rounded corners. The island is surrounded by a fringing reef and the only anchorage is on the west side. A great variety of marine life inhabits the fringing reef. Some fish at Sydney is poisonous; hence, it is better to organize fishing here with a local guide.
The landmark of Sydney Islands is its ancient ruins that evidence Polynesian visitors of early ages. The archeological studies of the sites show that there were at least two groups of early inhabitants. One group built a marae or shrine common Eastern Polynesia. Another group built platforms typical of Micronesia. There was a fishpond in the lagoon, several wells, and pits, which might have been used for cooking.
Southern Line Islands include uninhabited low coral islands, Malden, Starbuck, Vostok, Caroline and Flint. The best way to reach the islands is by private yacht and all you can do there is to look at their appearance, in many places, spoiled by phosphate mining. The fact is that many uninhabited islands of Kiribati are rich in phosphate and have been mined by Europeans for many years.