The Gilbert Islands became a British protectorate in 1892 and a colony in 1915. The islands were major battlefields in the Pacific War between the Japanese and U.S. forces. 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. Kiribati joined the UN in 1999 and has been an active participant in international efforts to combat climate change. Today, Kiribati is a presidential republic with English common law supplemented by customary law.
Kiribati has no first-order administrative division, while having 3 geographical units and 6 districts.
Economically, Kiribati is one of the least developed Pacific Island countries with limited resources and industrial activities. The Kiribati government is heavily dependent on foreign aid.
Source: CIA World Factbook - Kiribati
