where does Kiribati( Gilbert Islands) located?

Kiribati, formerly known as the Gilbert Islands, is located in the central Pacific Ocean. The country consists of 33 atolls and reef islands, which are grouped into three main island groups: the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands, and the Line Islands. The majority of the population lives in the Gilbert Islands. Kiribati straddles the equator as well as the International Date Line, although the Date Line has been shifted eastward to keep the entire country in the same time zone.

Kiribati extends over a vast area of ocean, with its islands spread out over 3.5 million square kilometers. Despite its extensive ocean territory, Kiribati's land area is only about 811 square kilometers. The capital of Kiribati is Tarawa, which is located in the Gilbert Islands group. Due to its geographical position, Kiribati is among the first countries in the world to welcome the New Year every January 1st.