Kiribati

Straddling the equator and the 180th meridian, this island nation comprises 32 atolls and the raised coral island of Banaba, with its territory dispersed over 3.4 million square kilometers of the central Pacific Ocean. The country's unique position places its easternmost Line Islands in the world's most advanced time zone (UTC+14), while its capital, South Tarawa, serves as the primary hub for the majority of its 119,000 residents. Economically, the nation relies heavily on fisheries and copra exports, having transitioned from a phosphate-based economy to one that is highly dependent on international aid and sustainable development. As a member of the Alliance of Small Island States, Kiribati actively addresses climate change challenges to protect its low-lying land and marine resources.