Upon independence in 1979 , it acquired the Phoenix and Line Islands , east of the IDL , from the United States .
As a British colony , the now - Republic of Kiribati was centred in the Gilbert Islands , just west of the IDL of the time .
Upon independence in 1979 , Republic of Kiribati acquired the Phoenix and Line Islands , east of the IDL , from the United States .
As a British colony , the now - Republic of Kiribati was centred in the Gilbert Islands , just west of the IDL of the time .