page_title: Nikunau
hierarchical_section_title: Nikunau
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: NASA-Astronautenbild von Nikunau, Gilbertinseln, Kiribati English: NASA astronaut image of Nikunau Island, Gilbert Islands, Kiribati
context_page_description: Nikunau is a low coral atoll in the Gilbert Islands and forms a council district of the Republic of Kiribati. It consists of two parts, joined by an isthmus about 150 metres wide.
  There are several landlocked, hypersaline lagoons located within the island, measuring about 30 hectares in area. The island is surrounded by a narrow fringing reef. Vegetation on Nikunau is moderately dense and consists largely of coconut palms and pandanus.
  The population of the island is of 1,789 Kain Nikunau I-Kiribati people. Typically, there are also a few other I-Kiribati there, working for the Republic Government or the Nikunau Island Council. From time to time United States Peace Corps and other I-Matang volunteers have been stationed there. Other external residents over the years have included castaways and beachcombers in the days of whaling and itinerant trading; Protestant Samoan pastors; traders and agents running the islands trade stores and cooperatives; and Roman Catholic clergy.
  Surf on Nikunau depends on location, but averages 2 ft to 8 ft in height. The tip of Nikunau, close to the airstrip, has the largest waves on the island.
context_section_description: Nikunau is a low coral atoll in the Gilbert Islands and forms a council district of the Republic of Kiribati. It consists of two parts, (the larger one in the northwest), joined by an isthmus about 150 metres (490 ft) wide.
  There are several landlocked, hypersaline lagoons located within the island, measuring about 30 hectares (74 acres) in area. The island is surrounded by a narrow fringing reef. Vegetation on Nikunau is moderately dense and consists largely of coconut palms and pandanus.
  The population of the island is of 1,789 Kain Nikunau I-Kiribati people. Typically, there are also a few other I-Kiribati there, working for the Republic Government or the Nikunau Island Council. From time to time United States Peace Corps and other I-Matang volunteers have been stationed there. Other external residents over the years have included castaways and beachcombers in the days of whaling and itinerant trading; Protestant Samoan pastors; traders and agents running the islands trade stores and cooperatives (e.g. Andrew Turner, Tom Day, Frank Even, Kum Kee, Kwong); and Roman Catholic clergy.
  Surf on Nikunau depends on location, but averages 2 ft to 8 ft in height. The tip of Nikunau, close to the airstrip, has the largest waves on the island. This is the point where two tides meet, clashing one wave with another, thus creating strong tides, waves, and currents.
caption: Nikunau Atoll
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