Why Kiritimati
Kiritimati, also recognized as Christmas Island, is an extensive Pacific Ocean atoll forming part of the northern Line Islands within the Republic of Kiribati. Its name reflects the Gilbertese phonetic rendering of the English word "Christmas." Comprising over 70 percent of the total land area of Kiribati, it stands as one of the largest atolls in the world, spanning approximately 312 square kilometers of land alongside a 328-square-kilometer lagoon network. Positioned 232 kilometers north of the equator, south of Honolulu, and far east of the 180th meridian, the island sits within the UTC+14 time zone following a 1995 realignment of the International Date Line, making it among the earliest inhabited places on Earth to enter a new calendar year.
Human activity on the atoll dates back to Polynesian visits between 1250 and 1450 AD, when the land was used periodically for gathering natural resources like birds and turtles. European navigation brought a Spanish expedition in 1537 and Captain James Cook on Christmas Eve in 1777. Permanent residency began in 1882 around fishing and coconut plantations. During the early 20th century, a French priest named Emmanuel Rougier planted extensive coconut palms and established local place names, including Poland and the now-abandoned settlement of Paris. Following military presence in World War II, British and American forces conducted nuclear tests on and near Kiritimati in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Today, the main inhabited villages of London, Tabwakea, and Banana line the northern region, with London hosting the primary port and government administrative offices.
The entire atoll is designated as a protected wildlife sanctuary, with access strictly restricted in five sensitive ecological zones. Archaeological remains, including stone marae structures, canoe storage sheds, and historical navigational aids, are concentrated along the eastern windward coast. Natural features across the landscape include clear shallow lagoons, hard-sand flats, salt ponds, and modest elevations such as Joe's Hill, which rises approximately 12 meters above sea level.
Visitors to Kiritimati are primarily attracted by ecotourism and saltwater fly fishing. The expansive, clear lagoon and flats provide conditions for angling species such as bonefish and giant trevally, while week-long ecotourism packages allow managed access to select sanctuary zones. Local nutrition relies heavily on marine fish, while the domestic economy exports copra, seaweed, and aquarium fish. Travel to the atoll is served by Cassidy International Airport, located north of Banana. Fresh food supplies are mostly imported, and potable water can be limited, particularly during La Niña dry periods.
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