Onotoa Postal Codes: KI0116 | Gilbert Islands

Key Facts

Onotoa is an atoll and district located in the southern part of the Gilbert Islands, which form the main island chain of the Republic of Kiribati in the central Pacific Ocean. Situated approximately 65 kilometers southeast of Tabiteuea and about 120 kilometers north of Tamana, Onotoa is one of the smaller inhabited atolls in the Gilbert group, with a total land area of just 15.6 square kilometers surrounding a large central lagoon. The atoll has a population of around 1,400 people who primarily reside in three main villages: Buariki, Temao, and Tabuarorae, which are connected by a single road running along the narrow land strip. Administratively, Onotoa functions as a district within the Gilbert Islands and is divided into several smaller village councils that manage local affairs. The economy is predominantly subsistence-based, relying on fishing, coconut cultivation, and limited copra production, with the lagoon providing important marine resources for the community. Like many Pacific atolls, Onotoa faces significant challenges related to climate change, including rising sea levels and freshwater scarcity. For detailed postal code information and administrative subdivisions within the Onotoa district, visitors can access our comprehensive database of Kiribati's geographic regions.