The atoll of Tarawa, is the capital of Kiribati and is the second largest of the 16 islands in the Gilbert group. The atoll is a string of islets that stretches from Betio all the way to Naa in North Tarawa. The atoll is divided into South and North Tarawa and is shaped like a backwards “L.” Most of Tarawa is less than 3 metres above sea level with the highest point at Eita Village in the South. The atoll is best known for the “Battle of Tarawa” during World War II where Betio was a bloody battlefield between Japanese and US armed forces.

South Tarawa (in Gilbertese Tarawa Teinainano) is the capital, commercial center and hub of the Republic of Kiribati and home to approximately half of Kiribati’s population (56,307 as of 2015 Census). South Tarawa consists of all the small islets connected by a main road and causeways stretching from Betio in the west all the way to Tanaea in the east. The capital city is Bairiki where the head of government resides.

Betio, Bairiki and Bikenibeu are the main towns on South Tarawa while Teaoraereke is emerging as a new town. The growing population, land scarcity for development, rubbish are one of the growing concerns facing urban South Tarawa today. However, in North Tarawa life offers a different picture of what Kiribati really looks like, where tradition and culture are still intact and where one can explore natural island beauty and traditional cultural setting less influenced by urbanization. North Tarawa, stretches from Buota all the way to Naa in Buariki. Most of the islets here are separated by channels that can be crossed during low tide and some are connected by causeways. North Tarawa has a population of 6318 (2015 Census) and it is administered by a local government (the Island Council) stationed in Abaokoro. Accessing North Tarawa is available by ferry services and charter boat. By driving you can reach as far as Buota just across from Tanaea as you cross a bridge.