The northern and eastern sides of the atoll are a single island, whilst the western edge consists of submerged reefs and many uninhabited islets, all surrounding a lagoon.

[1] Many parts of Maiana suffer from coastal erosion, with the villages of Tekaranga and Tematantongo being particularly affected.

Like all of the atolls of Kiribati, Maiana is at serious risk from sea level rise, as even small changes in sea level can cause accelerated erosion and threaten infrastructure, agriculture and water supplies.

The Maiana constituency elects two representatives to the national House of Assembly in the capital of South Tarawa.

[8] On 13 July 2009, the vessel Uean Te Raoi II, owned by the Catholic Parish of Maiana and travelling from Bwairiki in Tarawa, capsized and foundered off Maiana with the loss of 35 lives.