Bikenibeu, Kiribati

Capital City

The low-lying atoll of Bikenibeu is no island paradise. With over 6,500 residents crammed into just 1.8 square kilometers, the population pressure is intense. Rapid growth has led to environmental problems like sewage pollution and overfishing, while the looming threat of sea level rise means 71% of the island could be flooded by a 0.5 meter sea level rise. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache too, with multiple government ministries headquartered here. For those undeterred by the challenges, Bikenibeu offers basic amenities like a hospital, power grid, and secondary schools - but this overcrowded settlement is best suited for the resilient and resourceful.