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Question
#94063. author
asks:
What Pacific islands formed a British-American condominium from 1939 to 1979?
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BRY2K
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Canton and Enderbury.
Canton is mostly lagoon and Enderbury is mostly dry land. Very little grows there. Both islands were claimed by the United States and Great Britain.
In 1938 both countries agreed to put the question of sovereignty aside and to use the islands together to promote commercial aviation and communication. The lagoon of Canton Island provides one of the best seaplane bases in the Pacific. This allows for a replenishing and refueling point and thus provides excellent air and naval communications to the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and other Pacific countries.
From 1939 until 1979 these islands formed a British – American condominium. After that they became part of the Republic of Kiribati.
(Excellent Q, author!)
http://www.philatelicdatabase.com/countries/kiribati/the-lost-islands-of-oceania/
Mar 28 08, 9:30 PM
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