Betio

Betio is a township and island on Tarawa Atoll in Kiribati, located on the western side of the atoll’s lagoon. It forms part of the South Tarawa urban area and is connected by causeways to Bairiki and other islets, creating a continuous land link across much of the atoll’s western rim.

Betio is historically significant as the site of the Battle of Tarawa, a major World War II engagement in November 1943, when United States Marines attacked heavily fortified Japanese positions. The battle resulted in substantial casualties and highlighted the difficulties of amphibious assaults in fortified terrain. In the postwar period, Betio was rebuilt and developed as a commercial and residential center for Tarawa Atoll.

Today, Betio is a densely populated administrative and economic hub within Tarawa Atoll. It hosts the Port of Betio, a local market, shops, and government facilities such as the Betio Town Council. The atoll’s main international airport is Bonriki, located on the South Tarawa side, with Betio linked to the rest of the atoll by road and causeways.

The population is primarily I-Kiribati, with Gilbertese and English widely spoken. The local economy centers on commerce, fishing, and imports, reflecting Kiribati’s broad dependence on external trade. Cultural life in Betio blends traditional practices with urban-based activities, including church communities, markets, and communal events that are characteristic of Tarawa’s coastal communities.