The Gilbert and Ellice Islands comprised a British colony made up of 40 atolls and islands in the western Pacific Ocean. The colony consisted of the Gilbert Islands, the Ellice Islands, Ocean Islands, Fanning, Washington and Christmas Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. The principal industries were copra production and phosphate mining. ,Early inhabitants were Melanesian but the Ellice Islands were occupied in the 16th century by Samoans, who established the Polynesian culture there. The first Europeans to land in the islands came in 1764. James Cook visited in 1777. Britain declared a protectorate over the islands in 1892 and made it a colony in 1915. In World War II the Gilberts were occupied by the Japanese from Dec. 1941 to Nov. 1943. The colony adopted a constitution and became self-governing in 1971. The Ellice Islands became Tuvalu in 1976 with independence in 1978. The balance of the colony became Kiribati in 1979.,, ,Australian currency is currently used in circulation.,, Rulers:,,, ,British until 1978-79,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Pound = 20 Shillings,, ,1 Shilling = 12 Pence,,