The Gilbert Islands are a chain of 16 atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of the nation Kiribati.
The Gilberts had been inhabited by Micronesians for several centuries when they were first discovered by Europeans . The Gilberts part of the British protectorate of Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1892, which in turn became a British colony in 1916. The colony became autonomous in 1971.
From 1976 to 1978, the Ellices were separated, and the Gilberts became the Gilbert Islands colony, which issued stamps under that name. In 1979, the Gilberts opted for independence, becoming the independent nation of Kiribati.
The atolls and islands are arranged in an approximate north-to-south line. In alphabetical order, they are:
Extreme intensification continued until Gilbert reached a minimum pressure of 888 mbar (hPa), which was the lowest pressure ever recorded in the history of the western hemisphere and made Gilbert the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, until it was surpassed by Hurricane Wilma in the 2005 season.
At its peak, Gilbert sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) (although Hurricanes Camille and Allen had higher wind speed, hurricane intensity is measured in terms of pressure).
Gilbert spawned 29 tornadoes in Texas on September 18 and caused flooding in the midwest.
Feeds |
Contact