"Tarawa" a Tarawa Travel Page by Rusket

Tarawa is the main atoll of Kiribati, with the capital Bairiki, Bonriki International Airport and the villages Bikenibeu and Betio.

Kiribati is as close to heaven as you can come (on earth), but the Tarawa atoll is densely populated. I read somewhere that population density is expected to reach the level of Hong Kong in a few years! They rapidly copy the life style of our westernly "civilization". This has led to problems like extensive littering, pollution of the lagune, alcoholism and slum areas.

But there are nice areas on Tarawa as well, where people live more traditionally! Especially on the eastern and northern parts of the atoll. The picture is from Bikenibeu, where my friend Keetia lives.

A few countries have an Embassy / representation on Tarawa. The largest / best looking building except from the Parliament, is the Chinese Embassy :-)

I have made separate pages about the towns Betio and Bairiki, and you can find more info about Kiribati on my general Kiribati and Gilbert Islands pages.