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| CIA Background Information |
The exact origins of the Nauruans are unclear, since their language does not resemble any other in the Pacific. The island was annexed by Germany in 1888 and its phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium. Nauru was occupied by Australian forces in World War I and subsequently became a League of Nations mandate. After the Second World War - and a brutal occupation by Japan - Nauru became a UN trust territory. It achieved its independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999 as the world's smallest independent republic.
| U.S. State Department Description |
Country Description:
Nauru, a small single-island nation in the South Pacific, is located about 25 miles south of the equator. It is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary system of government. Tourist facilities are available on a limited basis. Yaren, the capital, has an international airport. Read the Department of State Background Notes
on Nauru for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport, visa, onward/return ticket, and proof of hotel bookings (or sponsorship from a resident of Nauru) are required for tourists. Tourist visas are issued for a maximum of thirty days. ... Read this Article
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Nauruan(s).
Population (2006): 10,700.
Age structure (2006 est.): 38.7% below 15; 1.56% over 65.
Annual growth rate (2006-2010 est.): 0.3%.
Ethnic groups: Nauruan 93%, Chinese 5%, other Pacific Islander 1%, European 1%.
Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic).
Languages: Nauruan, English.
Education (2004): Literacy--97%.
Health (2002): Life expectancy (2004 est.) women 56.9 yrs.; men 49.0 yrs.; Infant mortality rate--10.14/1,000.
Work force (2004 ... Read this Article
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Location: Nauru is Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands See Map
Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren District
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Currency (Code): Australian dollar (AUD) ...More
Area: total: 21 sq km , land: 21 sq km , water: 0 sq km ( 1 sq km is approximately 0.4 sq miles or 250 acres)
Area Comparison: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Elevation Extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m , highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m (1 meter = 3.28 feet)
Population: 13,770 (July 2008 est.)
Unemployment: 90% (2004 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8%
Religion: Nauru Congregational 35.4%, Roman Catholic 33.2%, Nauru Independent Church 10.4%, other 14.1%, none 4.5%, unspecified 2.4% (2002 census)
Languages: Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes
More Statistics
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| History
Nauru had little contact with Europeans until whaling ships and other traders began to visit in the 1830s. The introduction of firearms and alcohol destroyed the peaceful coexistence of the 12 tribes living on the island. A 10-year internal war began in 1878 and resulted in a reduction of the population ... Read this Article
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| Geographic Info for Nauru : |
Geography
Area: 21 sq. km.
Cities: Capital--no official capital; government offices in Yaren District.
Terrain: Rough beach rises to a fertile but narrow ring around a raised, prehistoric coral reef plateau, studded with coral pinnacles exposed by phosphate mining.
Climate: Equatorial; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February); unreliable rainfall and prone ... Read this Article
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