A Micronesian legend tells that the god Nareau picked blossoms from an ancient tree and threw them in a Southern direction. All islands reached by the blossoms were to belong to the island kingdom of Kiribati.

The 33 islands and coral atolls now belonging to the Republic of Kiribati only rise up to a maximum of three metres above sea-level. Trade in copra, the dried flesh of coconuts, which is used for manufacturing soap and toothpaste, and fishing, are the main sources of income.

The inhabitants of Kiribati still go out fishing on the ocean in wooden canoes with outriggers and sails. They build the boats from trees and coconut fibres. Such a canoe is exhibited at the joint presentation of the Pacific island states at the EXPO.