Gilbert & Ellice, Gilbert Islands, Kiribati
The Gilbert & Ellice Islands comprise a group of islands spread over two million square miles north of Fiji in the Pacific Ocean. The groups were annexed by the British in 1822. The Pacific islands Protection Act of 1857 established them as a British protectorate and a High Commissioner was appointed in 1893. The status of the group was changed in 1916 when they became a Crown Colony. Early in World War II the northern part of the groups was captured by the Japanese (Tarawa on 1oth December,1941). The European population was withdrawn but some control was maintained at Funafuti in the Ellice Islands until Tarawa was recaptured by the Americans in November 1943. Ocean island was held by the Japanese until August 1945.Gilbert & Ellice islands remained a Crown Colony until 1975. From January 1st,1976 the islands split into two groups named Tuvalu Islands (formerly the Ellice islands) and Gilbert Islands. The Gilbert Islands became the independent republic of Kiribati (pronounced Kiri-bas) on 12th July,1979. Kiribati comprises over 33 coral atolls, 21 of which are inhabited. Total population of 103,000 (2005)
Straddling the equator; the capital Tarawa is about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia; note - on 1 January 1995, Kiribati proclaimed that all of its territory lies in the same time zone as its Gilbert Islands group (GMT +12) even though the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands under its jurisdiction lie on the other side of the International Date Line.
Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru.
A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted at the time of independence from the UK in 1979. Copra and fish now represent the bulk of production and exports. The economy has fluctuated widely in recent years. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. Tourism provides more than one-fifth of GDP. The financial sector is at an early stage of development as is the expansion of private sector initiatives. Foreign financial aid from UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and China equals 25%-50% of GDP. Remittances from workers abroad account for more than $5 million each year.
Postal History of Gilbert & Ellice, Gilbert Island and Kiribati Stamps
Before 1911 all mail services were of a limited nature and depended on ships that called at the islands. As a result, almost any stamps that were available were used. At Fanning Island (Tabuaeran), a New Zealand post Office was opened and the stamps of that dominion were used until the island was incorporated in the colony in February, 1939.
During World War II Field POs of both the Australian and American forces were in use on the island.
Link to a comprehensive list of Gilbert & Ellice Islands, Gilbert Islands & Kiribati Stamps
• Sydney Philatelics • P.O. Box 122 Milton NSW 2538 •
• Phone: +61 (0)2 4455 4011 • Fax: +61 (0)2 8572 9911 •
• E-mail:info@stampsaustralia.com.au •
