Nauru

Official name: Republic of Nauru

Capital city: no official capital; government offices in Yaren District

Internet country code: .nr

Flag description: Blue with a narrow, horizontal yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country’s location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru

National anthem: “Nauru bwiema” (Nauru Our Home­land)

Geographical description: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands

Total area: 8.1 sq. mi. (21 sq. km.)

Climate: Tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)

Nationality: noun: Nauruan(s); adjective: Nauruan

Population: 13,528 (July 2007 CIA est.)

Ethnic groups: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8%

Languages spoken: Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes

Religions: Protestant 66.7, Roman Catholic 33.3%

(Republic of Nauru), an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It has “special status” within the British Commonwealth, meaning that it does not participate in meetings of heads of government of the Commonwealth nations. Area, 21 sq km. In 1972 the republic had an estimated population of 8,000, of whom some 50 percent were indigenous Nauruans and the rest Chinese, Europeans, and immigrants from other Pacific islands. English is the official language. More than two-thirds of the population is Protestant. Administratively, Nauru is divided into 14 districts.

Nauru is a republic, and its present constitution was adopted in 1968. The head of state and government is the president, elected for a three-year term by a parliament, called the Legislative Assembly, consisting of 18 members popularly elected for three-year terms. All citizens who have attained 20 years of age may vote. The judicial system consists of the Supreme Court, local courts, and appellate courts.

Nauru is an atoll that was raised by tectonic movements. It is fringed by coral reefs and has a small fresh-water lagoon lake. The surface is a plateau with a maximum elevation of 65 m, encircled by coastal terraces up to 200 m wide. The part of the island that was formerly a lagoon contains a large deposit of phosphate; more than one-third of the island has been turned into quarries. The climate is hot and moderately humid with a dry season. The average monthly temperature is about 28°C, and the annual rainfall is about 2,500 mm. There are no permanent streams, and drinking water is imported. Vegetation consists of light hard-leaved forests and shrubs. The fauna is characteristically insular, with many sea birds and insects.

The island was discovered by the British in 1798. In the 19th century traders in search of pearls settled on the island. Under the Anglo-German agreement of 1886, Nauru came within the German sphere of influence. In 1888, Germany occupied the island and incorporated it into the New Guinea Protectorate. Rich phosphate reserves were discovered on Nauru in the late 19th century. The British Pacific Phosphate Company acquired mining rights and in 1919 established a monopoly over the exploitation of the island’s chief natural resource. During World War I, Australian forces occupied Nauru in 1914. In 1920, as a mandate of the League of Nations, the island was placed under the joint authority of Great Britain, the Australian Commonwealth, and New Zealand. During World War II the Japanese occupied the island from 1942 to 1945. In 1947, as a UN trusteeship, Nauru was again placed under the adminstration of Great Britain, the Australian Commonwealth, and New Zealand. On behalf of the three countries the Australian government appointed the chief administrator of the island. An independence movement arose in the 1950’s. In 1951 the Council of Local Administration, with limited rights, was formed out of the Nauruan Council of Chiefs, established in 1927. The Legislative and Executive councils, established in 1966, to some extent limited the authority of the Australian administrator. The Republic of Nauru, a sovereign state, was proclaimed on Jan. 31, 1968. H. DeRoburt became its first president.

The mainstay of the economy of Nauru is phosphate mining, which came under the control of the government in 1970. Less than 1 percent of the area is used for agricultural purposes, primarily the growing of coconut palms. Fishing and handicrafts are well developed. Copra and the entire output of phosphate (2.2 million tons in 1970) are exported to Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Foodstuffs, building materials, mining equipment, and consumer goods are imported.

Education is compulsory for children from six to 17 years of age. In 1969–70, 1,500 students were enrolled in nine primary schools, and about 400 students attended the island’s two secondary schools.