Kiribati, Republic of, formerly the Gilbert Islands, independent state in the west-central Pacific Ocean, part of Micronesia. It consists of 33 coral islands and atolls and one volcanic island (Banaba) scattered over 2 million sq km (772,000 sq mi); about 20 of the islands are permanently colonised. The islands of Kiribati include Banaba (Ocean Island); the 16 Gilbert Islands, including Tarawa, on which the capital, Bairiki, is located; Rawaki; the 8 Phoenix Islands and 8 of the 11 Line Islands, including Kiritimati Island (or Christmas Island), the nation's largest. The total land area is 886 sq km (342 sq mi). Kiribati has a tropical climate with a rainy season that lasts from October to March; typhoons are common.