Although not prepared to make any significant military counterattack on the vast Japanese Pacific Empire, the American military, and people, wanted retribution for the attacks on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Most of the important food crops such as coconut, giant taro, pandanus and breadfruit grow well without much need of cultivation.A day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States of America entered into World War II, declaring war on the Empire of Japan. However, due to its high annual rainfall, vegetation grows well on Makin, resulting in good fertile soil. Typically, coral islands and atolls are small, averaging 2 meters above sea-level, with sandy and porous soil. A maneaba has been built near the bridge to provide shelter to the islanders and visitors who wish to enjoy swimming and picnicking in the location. The passage over which this short bridge was built is quite narrow and deep, resulting in strong tidal currents. One of its most beautiful features is Tanginteaira bridge, a concrete beam bridge with concrete support pillars. Makin is one of the smallest islands in Kiribati, but also the wettest and hence the most fertile. Unfortunately these swampy areas are vulnerable to seawater intrusion which occurs once in a while during excessive high tides. Some parts of Makin and Kiebu islets are swampy and are used by the villages to grow bwabwai, banana, and other food crops. The island is protected from the ocean by a narrow strip of fringing reef which encircles the land. The island resembles a large exclamation mark, with the largest islet, Makin, located in the northernmost tip of the island. Makin is a lagoon-less small coral island which is divided into five islets by shallow ocean passages. It was invaded and captured by the United States after the Battle of Makin. It is also known as an island in Kiribati where the WW2 took place called the Battle of Makin from Novemto November 24, 1943. This raid is called or well known as the raid of Makin. Makin is also known as a place where the United States launched a raid. Nakaa is the legendary guardian of the gateway to the place of the dead. It is an important site in the traditional mythology of the island group, being the departing point for the spirits of the dead heading to the underworld. This beach is located at the northern tip of Makin Atoll.

Makin has a unique beach called Nakaa Beach. Makin has a land area of 6.7km2 and a population of 1,786 (2015 population census). Makin is not a true atoll, but since the largest and northernmost of the islets, also called Makin, has a nearly landlocked lagoon, 0.3km2 in size and connected to the open sea in the east only through a 15 metre wide channel. It is evident from the islands structure and from local sources that the largest islet of Makin used to have a small lagoon, though the lagoon has now become shallow, most probably due to the construction of a causeway and later on, in the late 1990s, a bridge across the mouth of the narrow passage that links the shallow lagoon with the open sea. The five islets are arranged in linear formation from north to south, atypical of small coral islands which do not have lagoons. There are five main islets, the largest two of which namely Makin and Kiebu are inhabited.

Makin is the second smallest island in the Gilbert Group, situated 190 km away north of Tarawa, and 3 kilometers northeast of Butaritari.

Makin atoll