Birnie Postal Codes: KI0202 | Phoenix Islands

Key Facts

Birnie is a small, uninhabited coral island that forms part of the Phoenix Islands group within the Republic of Kiribati. Located in the central Pacific Ocean, Birnie lies approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Kanton Island, the largest atoll in the Phoenix Islands. This remote island is situated at coordinates 3°35′S 171°31′W and covers a land area of just 0.2 square kilometers (20 hectares), making it one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. Birnie is characterized by its low-lying coral formation, with no significant elevation above sea level, and it lacks permanent freshwater sources. The island has no permanent human population and is primarily significant for its ecological value, serving as an important nesting site for seabirds. As part of the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), one of the largest marine protected areas in the world, Birnie contributes to the conservation of pristine marine ecosystems. While Birnie itself contains no sub-regions or municipalities due to its tiny size and uninhabited status, it represents one of the eight main islands in the Phoenix Islands group. For administrative purposes within Kiribati's postal system, Birnie falls under the broader Phoenix Islands jurisdiction, though specific postal code information would be coordinated through the central administration given the island's uninhabited nature.