Kiritimati, Coral atoll in Line Islands, Kiribati.
Kiritimati is a coral atoll in the Line Islands, Kiribati, that covers roughly 640 square kilometers and features a network of interconnected lagoons. White sand beaches line the flat shoreline, while the surrounding Pacific waters support a variety of marine species.
Captain James Cook reached the atoll on December 24, 1777, giving it the English name because of the Christmas date. Permanent settlements appeared from 1882 onward, as families from other Kiribati islands moved here.
Residents combine Christianity with a distinct fishing tradition practiced in the lagoons and along the protected shores. Small canoes rest beside the houses, still built in the traditional way.
Visitors should bring all important supplies with them, as local shops offer only simple groceries and there is no cash machine. Australian or US dollars are accepted everywhere and are the only payment method on site.
The atoll lies in the UTC+14 time zone, which means residents experience each new calendar day among the first in the world. This extreme offset affects daily life, especially during international communications.
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