Pacific Islands Physical Geography

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Kiritimati

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Kiritimati , largest atoll in the Pacific (1990 pop. 2,537), 222 sq mi (575 sq km), in the Line Islands , one of the island groups that compose the Republic of Kiribati . It was previously called Christmas Island when it made up part of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. The island's chief agricultural product is copra. The airstrip there is used an emergency runway for trans-Pacific commercial flights. The atoll was explored by Capt. James Cook in 1777, annexed by Great Britain in 1888, and included in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony in 1919. British nuclear tests were conducted on the atoll in 1957 and 1958 and U.S. tests in 1962.

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"Kiritimati." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Kiritimati." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Kiritima.html

"Kiritimati." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Kiritima.html

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Kiritimati

Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names | 2005 | | Copyright

Kiritimati, Kiribati Christmas Island In the Line Islands, it was first sighted on Christmas Eve 1777 by Captain James Cook^†. It was annexed by the UK in 1888 and incorporated into the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony in 1919. Kiritimati is a local pronunciation of ‘Christmas’.

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JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Kiritimati." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Kiritimati." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Kiritimati.html

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Kiritimati." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Kiritimati.html

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Kiritimati

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

Kiritimati (Christmas Island) Largest atoll in the world, one of the Pacific Line Islands, forming part of Kiribati. It was the site of nuclear tests by Britain (1956–62) and the USA (1962). Area: 575sq km (222sq mi). Pop. (2002 est.) 5300.

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"Kiritimati." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Kiritimati." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Kiritimati.html

"Kiritimati." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Kiritimati.html

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Kiritimati

A Dictionary of Contemporary World History | 2004 | | Copyright

Kiritimati (Christmas Island), see Kiribati

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JAN PALMOWSKI. "Kiritimati." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Kiritimati." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-Kiritimati.html

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Kiritimati." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-Kiritimati.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Kiribati, Air Pacific discuss Kiritimati future Service. News Wire article from: PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association; 6/27/2008
	Seabees build first health care facility for Kiritimati Island. News Wire article from: PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association; 1/14/2011
	Britain debate 1950s nuclear testing on Kiritimati Island. News Wire article from: PAC - Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association; 10/16/2007