Butaritari is an atoll in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati. It is the most fertile of the Gilbert Islands, with relatively good soils (for an atoll) and high rainfall. Butaritari atoll has a land area of 13.49 km2 (5.21 sq mi) and a population of 4,346 as of 2010. During World War II, Butaritari was known by American forces as Makin Atoll, and was the site of the Battle of Makin. Locally, Makin is the name of a separate atoll to the northeast of Butaritari.