Background: Nauru's phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium; the island was occupied by Australian forces in World War I. Upon achieving independence in 1968 Nauru became the smallest independent republic in the world.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 30 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February)

Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center

Natural resources: phosphates

Land use: arable land: 0%; permanent crops: 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 100%

Geography
Note: Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean--the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia

Population: 9,333 (July 1991), growth rate 1.4% (1991)

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

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

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

Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic)

Birth rate: 19 births/1000 population (1991)

Death rate: 5 deaths/1000 population (1991)

Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1000 population (1991)

Environment
Current issues: only 53 km south of Equator

Infant mortality rate: 41 deaths/1000 live births (1991)

Life expectancy at birth: 64 years male, 69 years female (1991)

Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1991)

Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%)

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nauru

Government type: republic

Capital: no capital city as such; government offices in Yaren District

Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren

Independence: 31 January 1968 (from UN trusteeship under Australia, New Zealand, and UK; formerly Pleasant Island

National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968)

Constitution: 29 January 1968

Legal system: own Acts of Parliament and British common law

Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 20

Executive branch: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 12 December 1989)

Legislative branch: no regular armed forces; Directorate of the Nauru Police Force

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

International organization participation: C (special), ESCAP, ICAO, INTERPOL, ITU, SPC, SPF, UPU

Diplomatic representation
In the us: Ambassador-designate Theodore Conrad MOSES resident in Melbourne (Australia; there is a Nauruan Consulate in Agana (Guam; US--the US Ambassador to Australia is accredited to Nauru

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

Economy overview: Revenues come from the export of phosphates, the reserves of which are expected to be exhausted by the year 2000. Phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World--$10,000 annually. Few other resources exist so most necessities must be imported, including fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates constitute serious long-term problems. Substantial investment in trust funds, out of phosphate income, will help cushion the transition.

Agriculture products: negligible; almost completely dependent on imports for food and water

Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconuts

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: 0%

Budget: revenues $69.7 million; expenditures $51.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY86 est.)

Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June

Exports: $93 million (f.o.b., 1984)
Commodities: phosphates
Partners: Australia, NZ

Imports: $73 million (c.i.f., 1984)
Commodities: food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery
Partners: Australia, UK, NZ, Japan

Debt external: $33.3 million

Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2834 (January 1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 14,000 kW capacity; 50 million kWh produced, 5,430 kWh per capita (1990)

Military expenditures
Percent of gdp: no formal defense structure

Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m

Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 31,261 GRT/39,838 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 2 bulk