Country Guide

This scattered equatorial republic reaches across three island groups in the Western and Central Pacific - the Gilbert, Phoenix, and Line Islands.

Almost all of the islands are low-lying coral atolls. They all experience very similar conditions of temperature and humidity throughout the year. They have a typical tropical oceanic climate with moderately high temperatures and humidity that vary little from month to month. The daily range of temperature is quite small - about 4°-5°C/10°F.

All have abundant or moderately heavy rainfall. Those north of the equator have a wetter season from June to November. Islands near the equator have rainfall more evenly spread throughout the year. South of the equator there is more rainfall from November to April. Average rainfall in the country as a whole ranges from an annual fall of 3,000 mm/120 in in the north to only 500 mm/20 in in the south.

All the islands have moderately large amounts of sunshine, averaging between six and eight hours a day in spite of a large number of days on which some rain falls. Much of the rainfall is in the form of short, heavy showers, but days with continuous rain are more frequent in the wetter months.

Although the combination of temperature and humidity is often rather muggy and oppressive, particularly at night, the daytime temperatures are usually moderate and feel more comfortable because of the brisk winds, both daytime sea breezes and the predominant and regular trade winds.

The table for Yaren, on Nauru is typical of the Gilbert islands on or near the equator.