Kirimati has the greatest land area of any coral atoll in the world. The population of the island in 2015 was estimated to be around 6,447. It is one of the most remote islands in the Pacific Ocean.
In 1537, was “discovered” by Hernando de Grijalva of Spain and on December 24, 1777, visited by Captain Cook. Due to the date of his visit, he named the island Christmas Island. In Gilbertese/I-Kiribati, Kirimati is pronounced Kee-Ree-Mas (which reminds me of a scene from one of my favorite movies: https://youtu.be/7cdSGlIwJBg )
The capital of Kirimati is London (or Ronton). It exports fish and coconut products and has to import nearly everything, including drinking water.
The average temperature is around 80F every day!
Disappointingly, in the late 50s, nuclear tests were conducted around Kiritimati by the UK and in 1962, by the US. Now, the entire island is a Wildlife Sanctuary.
The bird Bokikokiko (Kiritimati reed warbler) is a species of warbler found only on Kiritimati.
The street lights in Kirimati have been out since 1978. However, more recently, a solar project funded by the EU Development Fund and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has put the light back on! (https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/life/102166347/ending-40-years-of-darkness-on-remote-pacific-island )
There is only one flight (Fiji Air) once a week from Kirimati to the US! The airport is located in the town of Banana (https://youtu.be/26K2sgma-mM ).
Kirimati is known for its amazing catch and release bonefishing.
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