Gilbert Islands
a group of small islands in Australasia, situated on the equator, extending from longitude 172° to 177° East, southeast of the Marshall Islands.
British colonial possession, comprises The group constituting a eighteen small islands with a total of 166 square miles, the largest being the island of Tapiteuea. Most of the islands are fertile and large quantities of copra are produced. Population about 27,000, including 450 Europeans.