Tarawa, Kiribati’s capital, is located on a lovely atoll in the central Pacific Ocean.
During the colonial period, it was the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands.
During World War II, Tarawa was occupied by the Japanese (1941–43) just three days after the attack on Pearl Harbour and fell to U.S. marines after a terrible battle.
Tarawa, and particularly the area known as Betio, is crammed with relics from the days when the Japanese took over part of the atoll and the subsequent American invasion.
Today, the city is heavily urbanised especially in the southern part which contains more than 30% of the nation's population! (mainly Micronesian).
Tarawa has a good marine training school and is served by an international airport.

Abaiang, a rectangular-shaped atoll, is located in the Northern Kiribati. Formerly named Charlotte Island, Matthews or Six Isles