Nauru, the world's smallest republic, is a small oval shaped coral island, located just 25 miles south of the Equator.

Dominated by a central phosphate plateau, it's surrounded by a coral reef and ringed by windswept palm trees and a sandy beach.

Originally settled by Polynesian and Melanesian explorers, Nauru had little contact with Europeans until whaling ships and other traders began to visit the islands in the 1830s.

Occupied by the Japanese in World War II, Nauru was made a United Nations' trust territory at the end of that war, finally gaining its long-sought independence in 1968.

In 1899, a British company discovered that Nauru was almost solid phosphate, and the subsequent mining of that valuable substance has long been the major economic activity on the island. Over a century of mining has stripped much of it away, and the country's financial future is questionable once that resource is depleted.

Nauru has limited tourism activities, however, those in the know recognize the diving and fishing conditions here are world class.





Facts and Figures



Official Name Republic of Nauru

Republic of Nauru Population 11,500

11,500 Capital City No official capital. All government offices located in the Yaren District (4,900)

No official capital. All government offices located in the Yaren District (4,900) Flag here

here Languages Nauruan (official), English

Nauruan (official), English Official Currency Australian Dollar

Australian Dollar Currency Converter here

here Religions Christian

Christian Land Area 21 sq. km (8 sq miles)

21 sq. km (8 sq miles) Latitude/Longitude 0º 55S, 166º 91E

0º 55S, 166º 91E Highest Point 225 ft. (69 m)

Maps

Nauru Large Color Map here

Nauru Map CIA version here

Nauru Outline Map here

Nauru Maps at UT here

Oceania Maps here

Suggested Links



Nauru Timeline here

Climate



With its location just south of the Equator, Nauru's weather is hot and very humid year-round.



Average daily high temperatures are near 90 degrees, and heavy rainfall is common throughout the year. The monsoon season is November through February.





Oceania Countries

Dependencies