Tarawa atoll has three administrative subdivisions: Betio Town Council (or BTC), on Betio Islet;  (or TUC), from Bairiki to Tanaea; and Eutan Tarawa Council (or ETC), for North Tarawa or ''Tarawa Ieta'', consisting of all the islets on the east side from Buota northwards. The meaning of Teinainano is "down of the mast", alluding to the sail-shape of the atoll.