Nauru

At a glance Land People Economy Achievements and challenges Links with Australia   Nauru at a glance Did you know? Nauru is the world's smallest independent republic but the third smallest country after the Vatican City and Monaco. Region Oceana/Pacific Population 13,770 (July 2008 estimate) Land Geography: narrow fertile strip around a barren centre Climate: Tropical People Religion: Christian Language: Nauruan Economy GDP per person (PPP): $5,000 (2005 estimate) GDP by sector: N/A Government Republic Land Physical geography Nauru is a tiny island of 21 square kilometres, 40 kilometres south of the equator in the Pacific Ocean . It is 4,000 kilometres north-east of Sydney and 300 kilometres west of Kiribati . The island's fertile coastal strip of 150-300 metres rings the central plateau of rugged coral stripped bare of its phosphate. The highest point, at 65 metres, is surrounded by a coral reef and exposed at low tide . Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean – the others are Banaba in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia . Climate The climate is tropical, with sea breezes. North-east trade winds blow from March to October. Day temperatures range from 24 to 34ºC; average humidity is 80%. Rainfall is erratic but often heavy; average annual rainfall is 2,060 millimetres. The monsoon season is November to February. Nauru suffers from periodic droughts. Environment Nauru has a limited supply of natural fresh water and vegetation is limited. Coconut palms and pandanus trees grow on the coastal strip and bananas and vegetables are grown in the Buada lagoon area. Nauruan reed warblers and great frigatebirds are still common but the black tern is rare because of habitat destruction. Marlin, sailfish and marine turtles are found in the surrounding sea. Intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years has left 90% of central Nauru a wasteland. If global warming causes sea levels to rise, the habitable low-lying land areas will be at risk from tidal surges and flooding. People There are approximately 13,770 people living on Nauru , mainly around the coastal green fringe and Buada Lagoon. The Nauruan Government offices are in Yaren District. People Culture and identity The Nauruan population consists of 58% Nauruan people, 26% other Pacific Islanders, 8% Chinese people, and 8% European people. The exact origins of indigenous Nauruans are unclear as their language does not resemble any other language used in the Pacific. Nauruan is the official language of Nauru and English is widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes. Health The average life expectancy on Nauru is 63 years of age – men 60 years and women 67 years. The infant mortality rate is 9.6 deaths for every 1,000 live births. The spread of tuberculosis is of concern, with an incident rate of 108 cases per year, 18 of which resulted in death in 2005/06. Religion and beliefs Christianity is widespread in Nauru , with two-thirds of the population Protestant and one-third Catholic. Food and shelter Nauru is almost completely dependent on imports of food and water. Rice, fresh fish and fruit and vegetables such as melons, bananas and coconuts form the main diet. Economy Wealth and poverty Phosphate revenues have given Nauru in the past a high per capita income but reserves are nearly depleted and the trust funds invested to provide post-mining income are largely gone. From 2001 to 2007, the Australian government paid Nauru to house asylum seekers detained while waiting the processing of their claims. The Nauru government aims to restructure the economy, basing it on shipping and air services, fishing, tourism and the provision of international financial services. Education and work The majority of population on Nauru is employed in mining phosphates, public administration, education, and transportation. Very few Nauruans work abroad or reside permanently off the island. Industries and products Industries concentrate on phosphate mining, offshore banking and coconut products. While fish abound in Nauruan waters, Nauru has been unable to establish a fishing industry of its own. Trade The major export product is phosphate. Export partners include South Africa (63.7%) South Korea (7.6%) and Canada (6.6%) Import commodities include food, fuel, manufactures, building materials and machinery. Import partners include South Korea (43.8%), Australia (36.2%), United States (5.9%) and Germany (4.3%). Achievements and challenges The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems for Nauru . Australia and Nauru cooperate closely on addressing people smuggling in the region. Links with Australia Australia enjoys good relations with Nauru and is a key trade, investment and development assistance partner. Nauru receives approximately $20 million of economic aid annually, mostly from Australia , to support essential services such as health, power generation, water desalination and the maintenance of public infrastructure. Main sources: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html http://www20.sbs.com.au/worldguide/index.php http://www.who.int/countries/nru/en/ http://www.dfat.gov.au/

Fishermen gutting fish on the beach. Photographer: Colin Jones, Photolibrary.com/Imagestate RM