Part of the country series of articles.
TRAVEL ADVISORY: NORMAL PRECAUTIONSThe Commonwealth advises travellers to exercise normal precautions when travelling in this country. Travellers should familiarise themselves with local laws and customs and consular availability.
| Pleasant Republic | |
|---|---|
| Republic | |
 |
|
| Capital | Arona |
| Languages | English, Gilbertese |
| Population | 18,000 |
The Pleasant Republic occupies a handful of low atolls near the Gilbert Islands in the central Pacific. The republic was formed in the 1970s from a collection of atolls that occupied an administrative gap between Kiribati and various colonial jurisdictions. The inhabitants chose to constitute themselves as an independent state, selecting the name pleasant as a founding aspiration.
The capital, Arona, is a small settlement on the largest atoll, with a government building, a school, a health clinic and a fish market that serves as the social centre of island life. The economy is fishing licences and some copra, supplemented by modest tourism from visitors arriving by occasional ferry from South Tarawa. The republic is a member of the Pacific Islands Forum and maintains friendly relations with Vekllei
The constitutional structure is simple and the parliament small. The republic participates in international forums and maintains diplomatic relations with a number of states. The prevailing political culture is one of consensus, suited to a community of this scale and density.