Buariki is an island in northern Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands of the Republic of Kiribati. It was the site of the Battle of Buariki in World War II.

Map of the Tarawa atoll, with Buariki near the northern tip

The village on the island, also named Buariki, is the northernmost village of Tarawa atoll and is in the administrative area of North Tarawa.[1]

Geography edit

Buariki lies 31 km from Bairiki in South Tarawa and 60 km from the neighboring atoll of Marakei.[2]

Climate edit

Buariki has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with heavy rainfall year-round.

Climate data for Buariki
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30.6
(87.1)
30.5
(86.9)
30.4
(86.7)
30.6
(87.1)
30.8
(87.4)
30.6
(87.1)
30.6
(87.1)
30.6
(87.1)
30.8
(87.4)
31.0
(87.8)
31.0
(87.8)
30.8
(87.4)
30.7
(87.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 28.0
(82.4)
27.9
(82.2)
27.8
(82.0)
27.9
(82.2)
28.2
(82.8)
28.0
(82.4)
28.0
(82.4)
27.9
(82.2)
28.0
(82.4)
28.2
(82.8)
28.2
(82.8)
28.1
(82.6)
28.0
(82.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 25.4
(77.7)
25.3
(77.5)
25.2
(77.4)
25.3
(77.5)
25.6
(78.1)
25.5
(77.9)
25.4
(77.7)
25.3
(77.5)
25.3
(77.5)
25.4
(77.7)
25.4
(77.7)
25.4
(77.7)
25.4
(77.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 258
(10.2)
186
(7.3)
236
(9.3)
189
(7.4)
161
(6.3)
151
(5.9)
175
(6.9)
136
(5.4)
104
(4.1)
112
(4.4)
152
(6.0)
222
(8.7)
2,082
(81.9)
Source: Climate-Data.org[3]

History edit

In World War II, the final battle of the Tarawa campaign occurred here on 26 November 1943, when the United States' 2nd Battalion 6th Marines fought the Battle of Buariki. The entire surviving Japanese force of 156, who had escaped Betio and were trapped at Buariki, fought to the death. The Marines had lost 34 men while 56 were wounded.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "5. North Tarawa" (PDF). Office of Te Beretitent - Republic of Kiribati Island Report Series. 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  2. ^ "North Tarawa Island Report 2012". Government of Kiribati.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Climate: Buariki". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved July 28, 2020.


1°36′45″N 172°57′40″E / 1.61250°N 172.96111°E / 1.61250; 172.96111