Nauru

Nauru

• Capital: Yaren (unofficial)
• Size: 8.1 sq. miles (21 sq kms)
• Population: 10,000 approx.
• Location: Western part of Pacific Ocean
• Official Language: English, Nauruan
• Currency: Australian Dollar
• Internet TLD: .nr

Nauru is the world’s smallest island nation, the smallest independent republic, and the only republic in the world without an official capital. Nauru was formerly known as ‘Pleasant Island’. Nauru was a colony of Germany in the late 19th century, and after the First World War became a mandate territory administered by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. During Second World War it was invaded by Japan. It achieved independence in 1968.
Nauru is a phosphate rock island, and its primary source of income has been the export of phosphate mined from the island. Nauruwas a rich country for a brief moment in 1970s, Nauruans were even amongst the richest people on the planet. But it did not last long as the island’s phosphate deposits dreid up and made the island a mining wasteland. Nauruans are among the most obese people in the world with 90% of adults having a higher BodyMassIndex than the world average.