- Abemama
Abemama (also Abamama, Apamama, Dundas, Hopper Island, Roger Simpson Island or Simpson Island) is an atoll in the central part of the
Kiribati (Gilberts) Group located 152 kilometres southeast of Tarawa and just north of the Equator.Geography
It has an area of 16 square kilometres and an estimated population of 3,608. The
islet s surround a deep lagoon. The eastern part of the atoll of Abemama is linked together by causeways making automobile traffic possible between the different islets. The outlying islands ofAbatiku and Bike are situated on the southwestern side of the atoll.The village of
Kariatebike serves as the government center for the atoll which includes an administration building, the police station and a hospital.History
During the 19th century the
Gilbert Islands ruling family had its seat on Ademama. [Canby, Courtlandt. "The Encyclopedia of Historic Places". (New York: Facts of File Publicantions, 1984) p. 2] Abemama is known as the island where theDeclaration of a British Protectorate was made by Captain Davis of "Royalist" on27 May ,1892 . In 1889 it was also the home ofRobert Louis Stevenson . Near Tabontebike is the tomb of tyrant-chiefTem Binoka , who was immortalized by Stevenson in his novel "In the South Seas"During
World War II the Americansubmarine USS Nautilus landed a force of 78 Marine Amphibious Reconnaissance Scouts to seize the island on 21 November 1943. On the morning of 25 November, a native reported to the Marines that the remaining Japanese committed suicide. [p.30 Rottman, Gordon L. "US Special Warfare Units in the pacific Theatre 1941-1945 Ospery Publishing 2005]Abemama was formerly known as
Roger Simpson Island. [Canby. "Historic Places". p. 2]Settlements
Transportation
By air
Abemama Atoll Airport is located on the north end of Abemama near the village ofTabiang . It has regular connections with the international airport inTarawa four times weekly.References
External links
* [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9003319/Abemama-Atoll Encyclopaedia Britannica, Abemama Atoll]
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