Kiribati is a Pacific island nation consisting of 33 low-lying coral atolls and one raised coral island, spread across a vast expanse of the central Pacific Ocean. It straddles the equator and the International Date Line, with the capital, South Tarawa, located in the most populated island group, the Gilbert Islands. Once a British colony, Kiribati gained independence in 1979. The country's economy is weak and relies on fishing licenses, copra, foreign aid, and remittances, with the low-lying land highly vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels.