Kiribati

Population: 94,149 (July 2001 est.)

Languages: English (official), I-Kiribati

Background: The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the UK in 1971 and complete independence in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups in a 1979 treaty of friendship...

Currency: Australian dollar (AUD, AUD (A$1.34 = US$1))

Data from CIA World Factbook. Click on CIA link for more. Click on map or flag for larger images.