Bairiki

Bairiki is a village and an islet now part of South Tarawa, and at one time itself the center of government (and therefore, capital) of Kiribati. One of three post offices on Tarawa is located at Bairiki. Bairiki Islet is the most southern islet on the atoll of Tarawa. About nine islets (of some 23 others on Tarawa) are larger than Bairiki.

Bairiki includes the main administrative centre of the Republic of Kiribati (presidency and most of the ministries), but the Parliament has since moved to Ambo, halfway between Bairiki and Bonriki. In the village there is a small port (the main port for Tarawa is on Betio Islet) and near Bairiki is an extension centre of the University of the South Pacific.