Nauru:

Region: Oceania – Micronesia

Capital: Yaren District

Official Language/s: English, Nauruan

Population: 13000

Currency: Australian Dollar

Government: Republic

Geography: Nauru is a small island in the western Pacific Ocean just south of the Equator. The island is surrounded by a coral reef, which has prevented the establishment of a seaport. The highest point of the plateau is 65 m (213 ft) above sea level and the only fertile areas are around the narrow coastal belt, where coconut palms flourish. The population of the island is concentrated in the coastal belt and around Buada Lagoon. Nauru is the world’s smallest island nation at just 21 km² and the only republican state in the world without an official capital.

Economy: The economy of Nauru depends heavily on declining phosphate deposits with most necessities being imported. Prior to the depletion of the phosphate Nauru boasted the highest per capita income in the world. As Nauru’s environments has been severely degraded by mining and there are no personal taxes the government lacks money to perform many basic functions. The government also employs 95% of those Nauruans who work and unemployment is estimated to be 90%.

Religion: The main religions practiced on the island are Christianity, Bahá’í and Buddhism. The Constitution provides for freedom of religion however, the government has restricted the practice of religion by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and members of Jehovah’s Witnesses, most of whom are foreign workers.

Foreign Relations: Nauru and Australia have maintained close diplomatic ties and an understanding has been developed between the two countries. This provides Nauru with financial aid, technical assistance and advisers on health and education. In return Nauru houses asylum seekers while their applications for entry into Australia are processed. Nauru also uses the Australian dollar as its official currency.

Culture: The people of Nauru descended from Polynesian and Micronesian seafarers and two of the 12 original tribal groups became extinct in the 20th century. The displacement of the indigenous culture by colonial and contemporary, western influences is obvious. Few of the old customs have been maintained, but some forms of traditional music, arts and crafts, and fishing are still practiced.