A state called Nauru. Journey to the island of Nauru

The world is beautiful, mysterious and able to surprise every day. For example, few people know that there is a little-studied state formation in the world, lost among the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean - the world's smallest republic of Nauru: not every geography lover will find it on the map.

Location

For those who want to try - a hint: in the western part of Oceania. The tiny country occupies the island of the same name of the same "impressive" size - just over 21 square kilometers. This is 75 (!) times less. It is not surprising that there is no such thing as the capital of Nauru - the island is simply divided into districts, and everything is short-lived.

This is a typical coral atoll that has been rising from the abyss for millions of years. Discovered as a result of a long search, the Republic of Nauru on the map looks like a moderately elongated oval (4 km wide and 6 km long) with a dent on its side - this is the Gulf of Anibar (east coast).

The atoll is surrounded - at low tide it is exposed, and then you can stare at the military equipment of the times of the First and Second World Wars, which suffered disaster here. The territory is mostly flat - the plateau is not much higher than the coast.

Today, the island of Nauru rises above the ocean level by an average of 30-40 meters. If the pessimistic forecasts of environmentalists about global warming come true, most of it will be under water - only the highest point of the island will remain on the surface (according to various sources, no less than 60 and no more than 71 meters).

Historical reference

The island of Nauru itself can be described in one capacious word: long-suffering. The history of a small state vividly demonstrates how small the distance between the funny and the tragic is.

People began to settle here since time immemorial: about 3 thousand years ago. Scientists believe that it was an ancient ethnic group, from which the Polynesians and Micronesians later formed.

At the moment when the island was discovered by the captain of an English ship, D. Firn (1798), it was inhabited by 12 tribes that had a very poor idea of ​​statehood. Nauruans fished in the surrounding waters, cultivated one of its species (hanos) in an inland reservoir (there is a lake on the territory, called Buada), grew coconuts and pandans, and somehow managed without civilization.

The Englishman Firn, not interested in the opinion of the indigenous population, called the island "Pleasant" and departed for New Zealand, where he was originally sent. From that moment, the ordeals of the natives began: the future republic of Nauru was subjected to "progressive" attacks almost continuously. To begin with, Europeans appeared on the island, and with them - strong alcoholic drinks. The local population began to master the "gifts of civilization" very quickly. Some of them drank themselves together, some killed each other in internecine wars, some got acquainted with new diseases (including venereal ones).

External management

Since the tiny country did not have the resources to defend itself, the "good white people" took it under their protection. At first, England was engaged in the affairs of the natives, in 1888 the island was annexed by the restless Germans, who gave it under the control of the Jaluit Company.

At the same time, by and large, no one was particularly interested in Nauru - palm trees and original fishing with the participation of trained birds were not too impressed by the sharks of big business.

The situation changed dramatically when rich deposits of phosphorites were discovered on the island - they had a decisive influence on its history. When it turned out that there was something to profit from, the powers that be immediately set about Nauru: a state that is not able to take advantage of someone's weakness will never become a world hegemon. In 1906, the nature of the island began to be systematically destroyed during the development of deposits.

The island is a veteran of two wars

When the First World War broke out, many would like to get a sweet piece stuffed with minerals, but the Australians were the first to manage (slightly ahead of the Japanese, who literally arrived next, but it was too late). So the future republic of Nauru took part in a global war, as a result of which it was transferred by the League of Nations "under the wing" of Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand - they were supposed to manage the island together, but Australia took over these functions.

The predatory development of minerals was in full swing, while the owners of natural resources themselves received very little. The natives continued to drag out a semi-civilized existence, complicated by the active mining of phosphorites, and then the war broke out again.

First, the island was shelled by the Germans, but that was not so bad. Trouble came along with the Japanese, who nevertheless fulfilled their long-standing dream and captured Nauru in 1942.

The cruelty of the conquerors is indicative: it is not known why, but they deported 1.2 thousand local residents to the Chuuk Islands, where almost half of them died. Only in 1946, the surviving Nauruans were able to return to their homeland.

Sluggish struggle for independence

After the Second World War, in 1946, the League of Nations gave a long life. The UN that was formed took all its mandated territories under its guardianship. The guardian countries of the island, on which the Republic of Nauru is now located, were appointed the same as before - and life went on as usual.

The natives began to show a desire for independence in the 50s. Formed back in 1927, the Council of Leaders was transformed into a local self-government body that had the right to an advisory vote in the colonial government. Not thick, but "even a little bit, a teaspoon is already good."

In 1966, the Nauruans obtained permission to form an Executive and Legislative Council, and in 1968 they declared independence. Nobody particularly objected.

Crazy wealth

It was then that happy days began for the local population: the mining of phosphorites was under the control of Nauru - the state began to grow rich quickly (along with its citizens). A funny story is circulating on the Web about how the island's police chief bought himself a Lamborghini solely to prove that he would not fit into it (apparently, even in Oceania, a self-respecting employee must be very well-fed).

It is not known whether this story is true, but the natives really did not manage the treasure that had fallen on them very well. The government did not make any clear attempts to diversify incomes, for which it paid the price.

The collapse of hopes

The flag of Nauru is a blue flag divided horizontally by a yellow stripe. In the lower part - something like a shining white star, which by the end of the 20th century had set. The reserves of useful phosphorites were depleted, it suddenly turned out that the islanders had not learned to earn anything else: both fishing and Agriculture and were in their infancy.

In Melbourne, there is a skyscraper that once belonged to the unlucky island. In 2004, the flag of Nauru had to be removed from its spire - the government was forced to sell the building in order to return part of the public debt. The same fate befell many other assets (mainly real estate). By the end of the millennium, it became clear that Nauru was bankrupt.

An attempt to improve finances by creating an offshore zone failed - the world community, led by the United States, was not going to tolerate a local project of dubious origin - under pressure from such a respected power, the idea of ​​\u200b\u200beasy money was abandoned.

The state of affairs

In an attempt to get money, the islanders do not disdain anything: evil tongues claim that Russia paid Nauru to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The islanders also earn on political trade, balancing between China and Taiwan.

The state, which ranked second in the world in terms of GDP per capita in 1986, “slipped” to the 160th in 2014, but the worst thing is that the situation continues to worsen.

The democratic structure of the island is personified by the parliament, consisting of "already" of 18 deputies. It is located in the Yaren district - this is a kind of "capital of Nauru", given that most government agencies are located nearby. Politically, citizens are very (even too) active: three political parties per 10 thousand of the population is an impressive number, and during the unrest that accompanied the 2003 presidential election, the islanders burned down the residence of the head of state and remained without contact with the outside world for several weeks.

"Big Brother" Nauru

Today, the Republic of Nauru drags out a rather miserable existence, trying to earn at least somehow. The main source of income is cash injections from Australia.

First, the islanders filed a lawsuit against their long-term "guardian" - and finally beat out compensation for the predatory mining of the notorious phosphorites. Now the prosperous continent is paying Nauru to host refugees seeking happiness under the blue Australian skies. Some sources suspect that these people are directly the local population, who are paid to sit on their island and not aspire anywhere.

The connection with Australia is generally very strong - to such an extent that the Supreme Court of Australia is considered the highest court in Nauru.

Island outlook

Their own attempts to earn money have not yet been successful. It would be possible to engage in fishing - the depth of the ocean just two kilometers from the island is more than 1000 m, but only two fishing vessels are “registered” in the port of Nauru. Agriculture, by and large, is able to serve only the population of the republic. Things are bad with drinking water- special installations, with the help of which water is desalinated, are often idle due to debts for electricity.

Tourism is also in its infancy: holidays in Nauru are not very popular, because there are much busier places in Oceania, from any point of view. over the years of "close cooperation" with the Europeans lost a lot. Traditions were forgotten, there were no ancient settlements or monuments either.

Nauru as a holiday destination

Even the weather of Nauru is a serious test for a European: since the island is located almost on the equator (42 km to the south), it is very humid and hot here. In summer there is a drought, in the daytime under 40 degrees of heat, at night it drops to “already” 30 - you can’t live here at all without an air conditioner. The activity of the sun is such that you can get burned even in the water. In the rainy season, in addition to being hot, it is also damp - in general, the climate is not for everyone.

But the saddest thing is the state of the environment. For almost a century of phosphorite mining, almost the entire territory of the island (up to 90%) was disfigured - it lost its soil layer and turned into a so-called. "lunar landscape" with which ecologists scare the planet. Since no one cared about the restoration of natural resources, almost everywhere - the intricacies of mines, cliffs, heaps of waste rock - these are such impressive views. Nauru does not get tired of asking for money for an ecosystem restoration program. The UN, which the tiny young state joined in 1999, is trying to help in every possible way. So far, however, no significant progress has been made.

In general, in Nauru, tours for which are not in great demand for the reasons already mentioned, there is practically only one entertainment - sea fishing with a local guide. Fans say it's great. You can also scuba dive - simple dives are practiced in the Anibar Bay. Swimming pools and tennis courts have remained from the times of former prosperity.

Nauru is located on the Oceania mainland and the occupied territory of Nauru is 21. The population of Nauru is 14,000 people. The capital of Nauru is located in the city and has no official capital. Form state structure Nauru - Republic. Spoken in Nauru: Nauruan, English Nauru has no land borders.
The Republic of Nauru is a dwarf state on a coral island, which in outline is very reminiscent of an upside down plate. From the sea side, the lowland is bordered by a narrow beach of white coral sand, and its inner part is separated by a shaft of coral limestone, which rises 40-50 m above sea level, which is an extraordinary sight.
Nauru is the smallest independent state on earth and the only republic in the world that does not have an official capital, its government is located in Yaren district. According to the Constitution, adopted on January 29, 1968, a republican form of government was established with the Westminster system of parliamentarism and certain signs of a presidential form of government.
Nauru is known for its fully independent judiciary. The judicial system consists of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, District and Family Courts, and the Land Committee resolves land disputes. Some issues are decided by the highest court - the Supreme Court of Australia.
The official languages ​​are Nauruan, i.e. Micronesian, and English, since the Republic of Nauru was owned by Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand.
Interestingly, the writing system created just 100 years ago included only 17 letters, but the influence of other languages ​​over time expanded the alphabet to 28 letters.
Mostly Christians live on the island, about a third of the population are followers catholic church and a very small number of other beliefs. Some denominations are restricted by the government, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Modern Church of Jesus Christ (Mormons), which are represented mainly by foreigners.
Agriculture and the fishing industry are developing in the country. On the coastal strip of the island, pineapples, bananas, mangoes, papaya, coconut palms, breadfruit are grown, and basically all this goes to local markets. There are only two fishing boats in the country, which deliver fish mainly to the domestic market, with a small part of the tuna going to Japan and Australia. There are no rivers on the island. The development of aquaculture is evidenced by the creation of artificial reservoirs, where hanos fish are bred for the island's domestic market.
About 40 km of road and 3.9 km of railway serve as a link between the phosphorite mines and the International Airport, a port on the southwest coast. There is air and sea communication. There is no public transport in the country, so the population moves around the island in personal vehicles.
There are no regular print media in Nauru, newspapers are published from time to time, and government radio and television stations operate. The telecommunications system is well developed, the entire island is covered by cellular communications. Since 1998, the Internet has appeared in the country, several Internet cafes provide visitors with Internet access for a moderate fee, here you can process digital photos, scan documents.
Tourism in the republic is poorly developed, since the island is ecologically polluted after many years of phosphorite mining, and there are few people who want to admire the plain, which resembles a “lunar landscape”. But just someone, perhaps, on the contrary, would like to get to know the unique, unique in many respects Pacific wonder island of Nauru.

This state is known for being “the very best”: the smallest island state; the smallest independent republic on Earth; the smallest state outside Europe and the only republic in the world without an official capital.

True, some sources call the capital of the Republic Yaren, but in reality there is no official capital in Nauru.

The state is located on the island of Nauru. Its area is only 21.3 km², and the population is about 13 thousand people.
The independence of the Republic of Nauru was proclaimed in 1968. A republican form of government was established with the Westminster system of parliamentarism and features of a presidential form of government.
Head of State and Government Nauru is a president elected for 3 years. The unicameral parliament consists of 18 deputies.
National armed forces missing. The security of the island is carried out by Australia.

State symbols of Nauru

Flag- a panel with an aspect ratio of 1:2 with a horizontal yellow line on a blue background running in the middle, and a large white 12-pointed star under the line in the left corner. The star indicates the location of the country in relation to the equator (yellow stripe). The 12 ends of the star symbolize the 12 tribes of Nauru. Blue represents the Pacific Ocean.
The flag was adopted on January 31, 1968.

Coat of arms- is a three-part shield. In the upper part, on a golden wicker field, there is a symbol that was once the alchemical symbol of phosphorus (until recently, phosphorites were the basis of the island's economy). The braided background symbolizes the people of Nauru. In the lower right silver field is a frigate bird sitting on a pole above the ocean waves. In the lower left field there is a branch of Calophyllum flowers on a blue field. The shield is surrounded by ropes of palm leaves and frigate feathers. The 12-pointed star above the shield is taken from the flag. The ribbon at the top bears the name of the country in the local language. The ribbon below carries the country's national motto: "God's Will First" ("First of all, God's will").
The coat of arms was created in 1968.

Geography and geology of the island of Nauru

Nauru Island is a raised coral atoll. A narrow coastal plain 100-300 m wide surrounds a limestone plateau, the height of which in the central part of Nauru reaches 30 m. The plateau was previously covered with a thick layer of phosphorites, formed, presumably, from the excrement of seabirds.
The island is surrounded by a reef about 120-300 m wide. At low tide, the reef dotted with peaks is exposed. 16 channels are dug in it, which allow small boats to approach the coast of the island.
Phosphorite mining was carried out here, a narrow-gauge railway was laid to deliver the mined phosphorites to the port. And at the site of development there were huge pyramids and limestone battlements.

There is a shortage of fresh water on the island, because. there are no rivers here. In the southwest of the island there is a small brackish Lake Buada which is fed by rainwater. Its level is 5 m higher than the level of the ocean surrounding Nauru. Currently, the lake is not connected to the ocean. Around the lake there is fertile land, agriculture is developed there.

But the amount of water from this lake does not satisfy the needs of the population for drinking water, so during the drought period it is imported from Australia.
There is only one desalination plant on the island, powered by Nauru's only power plant. But the cost of electricity is very high, so the desalination plant does not operate regularly. Rainwater is collected here for irrigation and technical needs.

Flora and fauna

The island was heavily damaged during World War II, as well as from the mining of phosphorites, which led to the destruction of vegetation in much of Nauru. Currently, this problem is being solved: the vegetation cover has been restored on 63% of the territory. In 1989, the Republic of Nauru filed a lawsuit in international court over Australia's handling of the island, in particular the severe environmental impacts resulting from the mining of phosphate rock. Australia paid compensation to Nauru.
Coconut palms, pandanus, laurel, ficus and other deciduous trees grow here. Shrubs are also common. Hibiscus, cherry, almond and mango plantings are found in the interior of Nauru.

The animal world is rather poor: small rats, cats, dogs and pigs, chickens - they were all brought here.
From reptiles - lizards. 6 bird species: waders, terns, pigeons, petrels, frigatebirds. And only one species of songbird lives here - warbler.

Sharks live in coastal waters sea ​​urchins, shellfish, crabs and some poisonous marine animals.

Administrative division- despite the fact that the territory of the state is very small, it is divided into 14 administrative districts.

Population

It mainly lives along the coast and around Lake Buada. There are no cities on the island, there are only residential areas. The presidential residence is located in the Meneng district, while government offices and parliament are located in the Yaren district.

Indigenous people (Nauruans) make up 58%. Europeans are about 8%.
State languages- English and Nauruan. Writing has been based on the Latin alphabet for 100 years.
Religion- Christianity. 57% Protestants, about 33% Catholics, 5% profess Buddhism and Taoism.
Some adhere to traditional beliefs (worship of the goddess Eijebong and the island spirit Buitani).

Economy of Nauru

During the mining of phosphorites, Nauru was a very rich republic (1970-1980). But this had a devastating effect on the relief and vegetation of the plateau in the central part of the island. By the end of the XX century. 80% of the land has turned into a desert.
In the 1990s, there was an offshore zone, and in 2003 a severe economic crisis broke out, which ended in political clashes, as a result of which the presidential residence burned down and telephone communications were cut off.
IN last years Australia provides significant assistance to the country.

Papaya, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, coconut palms, and breadfruit are grown in the coastal zone.
Fishing is mainly aimed at the domestic market, except for tuna, which is exported to Japan and Australia. Fish are bred in small artificial reservoirs hanos(mainly for the domestic market).
Food, fuel, machinery and equipment, building materials, consumer goods are imported in the country.
Currency- Australian dollar.

Sport

Australian football is the national sport game. Also popular are weightlifting, softball (a sports team game with a ball, an analogue of baseball), basketball and tennis. Nauru was officially admitted to the Olympic Movement in 1996.

Education

Education in Nauru is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 15 (grades 1-10). preschool And preparatory education is for young children.
Elementary education- for children aged 6 to 11 years. The first 2 years are taught in primary school Yaren District, 3 and 4 at Aiwo Primary School, and from 5th at Nauru College. To receive a certificate of primary education exams are taken.

high school A: Grades 7-10 are required and grades 11-12 are optional. Exams are taken to obtain the Certificate of Secondary Education. If the training is continued, at the end of the 12th grade, exams are taken for a Certificate of Complete Secondary Education.
Higher education can be obtained overseas, mainly in Australia. In Nauru there is a branch of the University of the South Pacific, where you can study in absentia.

History of Nauru

Around 3,000 years ago, Nauru was settled by supposedly Micronesians and Polynesians. The origin was taken into account on the maternal line. Before the arrival of Europeans, the population of the island of Nauru consisted of 12 tribes, this is reflected in the 12-pointed star on the modern flag and coat of arms of the Republic of Nauru.
The island of Nauru was discovered on November 8, 1798 by an English captain John Fearn sailing to China from New Zealand.
In the 19th century the first Europeans began to settle on the island: runaway convicts, deserters from whaling ships, merchants. This did not have the best effect on the atmosphere of the island: hitherto unknown diseases, internecine wars, and alcohol consumption began.
In 1888 Nauru was annexed ( annexation the formal annexation by a state of all or part of the territory of another state unilaterally) by Germany and included in the protectorate of the Marshall Islands under the control of the Jaluit Company. But at first it was not very felt - the island lived its former life. But when large deposits of phosphorites were discovered here, the situation changed. In 1906, an Australian company began their development, which complicated the entire subsequent history of the island.
During the First World War, the island was captured by Australian troops. But at the same time, the Japanese also sought to capture the island, but the Australians were ahead of them.

As a result of the war in 1923, Nauru received the status of a mandated territory of the League of Nations and was transferred under the joint administration of Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, but under the administrative control of Australia. These countries have formed a joint venture called the British Phosphate Commission to mine and sell phosphorites. The development of phosphate rock was carried out before the Second World War, but the indigenous people had practically nothing from this, except for insignificant compensation.

In early December 1940, a clash began between the countries owning the company: a Norwegian and several British ships were sunk by German cruisers, phosphorite burned, and port facilities were bombarded. Only ruins remained of it. The fire destroyed the phosphorites already purchased by the Japanese.

During 1942-1945. Nauru was taken over by Japan. During this period, 1200 Nauruans were deported to the Chuuk Islands, only half of them subsequently returned to their homeland.
Nauru has been a United Nations Trust Territory since 1947, while continuing to be jointly administered by Britain, Australia and New Zealand and administered by Australia. Until the 1970s, up to 2 million tons of phosphorites were mined and exported.
But already in 1940-1950. On the island began the movement for independence. By 1966, local Legislative and Executive Councils were created, which ensured internal self-government. And on January 31, 1968, independence was proclaimed.

Sights of Nauru

City of Yaren

The sights of the city are two museums of Japanese weapons and numerous bunkers and caponiers(a vaulted room covered with earth, arranged inside the fortress moat and armed with cannons to fire at the enemy in the event of an assault), preserved since the Second World War, and a small underground lake Mokua Vel.

The island is surrounded on all sides by sunken planes and ships. The city has an international airport.

Anibare

In Anibare district is located best beach Nauru with excellent conditions for relaxing by the sea. And although the ocean currents near the shores of the bay are quite strong, but this is one of the best resort areas of Nauru. Nearby reefs and two channels create good conditions for diving and snorkeling - here, as in other places off the coast of Nauri, there are several sunken ships from the Second World War.

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Republic of Nauru- a dwarf state on the coral island of the same name in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. Nauru is the smallest independent republic on Earth, the smallest island nation, the smallest nation outside of Europe, and the only republic in the world without an official capital.

Nauru Island is a raised coral atoll confined to the top of a volcanic cone. The island has an oval shape, from the east the coast is concave - there is the Gulf of Anibar. The surface of the island is a narrow coastal plain 100-300 m wide, surrounding a limestone plateau, which reaches a height of 30 m in the central part of Nauru.

Nauru Airport

Nauru International Airport

Hotels Nauru 1 - 5 stars

Weather Nauru

The climate is equatorial monsoon, hot and humid. The average temperature is about +27.5 °C. During the daytime, it usually fluctuates between +26 °C and +35 °C, and at night between +22 °C and +28 °C. Daytime temperatures can reach +38-41 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2060 mm. There are dry years, and in some years up to 4500 mm of precipitation falls.

Nauru language

Official language: Nauruan, English

Currency of Nauru

International name: AUD

The Australian dollar is equal to 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 dollars, as well as coins of 1 and 2 dollars, 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

You can exchange currency in banks or in any of the hotels on the island. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but there are no ATMs on the island. Traveler's checks can be cashed at banks and hotels.

Customs restrictions

Import of currency is not limited, export is limited: up to 5000 USD. When importing more than 10 thousand Australian dollars must be declared.
You can import goods worth no more than 400 Australian dollars.

It is forbidden to export plant seeds, plants, stuffed animals, objects made of coral, feathers, shells, and also objects that are under state protection.

When importing seeds, plants, wood products, fruits and vegetables, it is mandatory to pass the checks listed above. Food products that have not passed special control are strictly prohibited for import.

Mains voltage

Tips

Tipping is not accepted and not particularly encouraged.

Purchases

Since the end of the 20th century, Nauru has positioned itself as an offshore center, so there is no sales tax, but a number of goods are subject to customs duties, the rules for which are periodically changed. Tobacco products and alcohol are not taxed.

The usual opening hours of commercial establishments are from Monday to Friday, from 09.00 to 17.00, on Saturdays from 09.00 to 13.00, however, many private shops operate on their own schedule.

Office Hours

Bank of Nauru branches are usually open from Monday to Thursday, from 09.00 to 15.00, on Fridays - from 09.00 to 16.30.

Safety

The waters around the islands are home to several varieties of sharks and many poisonous sea creatures.

Code of the country: +674

First level geographic domain name:.nr

Emergency Phones

Each region has its own emergency telephone numbers.

Basic moments

The island is bordered by an annular shaft of coral reefs, 150-300 m from the coast; behind the reefs begins a steep underwater slope. On the coastal lowland, with a width of 100 to 300, residential and industrial buildings are concentrated, there are plantings of coconut palms, pandanus groves. From the sea, this lowland is bordered by a narrow beach of white coral sand, and from the inner part of the island, which is a flat plateau, it is separated by a rampart of coral limestone, rising 40–50 m above sea level.

On the plateau, under a thin layer of soil, phosphorites lie - the main wealth of the island, which forms the basis of the country's economy. Where the phosphorites have already been worked out, there remain fantastic heaps of limestone battlements and pyramids, reminiscent of a dead "lunar" landscape. Where mining has not yet begun, light hard-leaved forests, light forests and shrubs have been preserved. Nauru is sometimes referred to as the "Kuwait of the Pacific". This comparison is reminiscent of the rapid enrichment of a backward country, but this wealth is associated with the destruction of the habitat.

Nature

The hilly limestone plateau, located in the central part of the island, slopes down to the coast in ledges and is covered with a thick layer of phosphorites. A strip of sandy terraces and beaches from 100 to 300 m wide stretches along the perimeter of the island. The island is bordered by a narrow barrier reef that separates the shallow lagoon from the deep water area.

The climate of Nauru is equatorial, hot and humid. Average monthly temperatures approx. 28 ° C. The average annual rainfall is 2000 mm. There are dry years, and in some years up to 4500 mm of precipitation falls. The wettest season lasts from November to February, when the western monsoons prevail.

There are no rivers on Nauru. In the southwestern part of the island there is a small freshwater lake, Buada, which is fed by seeping rainwater. drinking water produced at a single desalination plant and imported from Australia. For domestic needs, rainwater flowing from the roofs is collected in containers.

The soils are porous sandy loam, on which coconut palms, pandanuses, ficuses, laurel (calophyllum) and other deciduous trees grow. Various types of shrub formations are also common. The most dense vegetation is confined to the coastal strip and the vicinity of the lake. Buada. The recultivated quarry dumps are planted with bushes.

The fauna of Nauru is poor. From mammals, rats are found, from reptiles - lizards. The avifauna is more diverse (waders, terns, petrels, frigatebirds, pigeons, etc.). Lots of insects.

Story

Nauru was settled by Micronesians and Polynesians about 3,000 years ago. According to one version, the first settlers arrived in Nauru from the Bismarck Islands and represented the Proto-Oceanic ethnic group, even before its breakup into Melanesians, Micronesians and Polynesians. Traditionally, the islanders considered their maternal lineage. Before the arrival of Europeans, the population of the island of Nauru consisted of 12 tribes, which is reflected in the twelve-pointed star on the modern flag and coat of arms of the Republic of Nauru. On November 8, 1798, English captain John Fearn, sailing from New Zealand to China, was the first among Europeans to discover Nauru, who gave the island the name Pleasant Island, which was actively used for 90 years. At that time, the decomposition of the primitive communal system was observed on Nauru. The main crops were coconut palm and pandanus. Nauruans fished on the reef, with canoes and with the help of specially trained frigates (lat. Fregata minor). They also managed to acclimatize in Lake Buada chanos (English) (lat. Chanos chanos), providing themselves with an additional source of food. Fishing was done exclusively by men.

In the 19th century, the first Europeans began to settle on the island. These were runaway convicts, deserters from whaling ships approaching the island, and later individual merchants. Foreigners brought venereal diseases to the island, they soldered the Nauruans, fomented internecine wars, which became incomparably more bloody due to the use of firearms.

On April 16, 1888, the island of Nauru was annexed by Germany and incorporated into the protectorate of the Marshall Islands. The population of the island was taxed. But for some time the island continued to live its secluded life. The situation changed after large deposits of phosphorites were discovered here. In 1906, the Australian Pacific Phosphate Company received permission to develop them. This left a deep imprint on the entire subsequent history of Nauru.

On August 17, 1914, the island of Nauru was captured by Australian troops during the First World War. The Australians pursued several goals. First, it was important to disrupt the German Etappendienst system by capturing the transmitting station on the island, which was part of a network of radio stations providing communication with German ships and vessels. Secondly, the Commonwealth government was wary of Japan's actions, quite rightly suspecting the latter of expansionism. As a result of the war in 1923, Nauru received the status of a mandated territory of the League of Nations and was transferred under the joint administration of Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, but Australia carried out the administration. These countries bought from a private company all its rights to phosphorite deposits and created a joint company, British Phosphate Commission, to develop phosphorite deposits and sell them. Intensive development of phosphorites was carried out until the Second World War, but only meager compensation was paid to the indigenous people.

In early December 1940, the German auxiliary cruisers Komet and Orion sank one Norwegian and several British merchant ships off Nauru. Some of them were waiting for the loading of phosphorites off the coast of the island. The smoke of the burning phosphorite carrier "Triadika" was visible from the coast of Nauru. The island's radio station received alarms sent by the Komata. The information received was transmitted by radiogram to the headquarters of the Australian Navy. The wreckage of sunken ships was thrown by the waves onto the coast of Nauru. Almost all the captured crew members and passengers were landed by the Germans on December 21 on the island of Emirau in the Bismarck archipelago. Some of them were able to quickly reach the city of Kavienga and inform the Australians about the impending attack on the island of Nauru, but Australia did not have warships capable of preventing the raid in this area. On December 27, 1940, the Komet cruiser returned to Nauru to bombard port facilities. Standing abeam the island, the Komet raised the war flag of the Kriegsmarine and sent a radio signal with the order to clear the piers and the oil storage. However, the crowd of curious did not disperse, a warning shot dispersed the islanders. After shelling, only ruins remained on the site of the port. The resulting fire destroyed a large pile of phosphorites, already purchased by the Japanese.

On August 25, 1942, the island of Nauru was captured by Japan and liberated only on September 13, 1945. During the Japanese occupation, 1,200 Nauruans were deported to Chuuk Island (English) (at that time it was called Truk) in the Caroline Islands archipelago, where 463 of them died. In January 1946, the surviving Nauruans returned to their homeland.

Since 1947, Nauru has become a UN Trust Territory, while continuing to be under the joint administration of Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, up to 2 million tons of phosphorites were mined and exported annually, worth 24 million Australian dollars. In 1927, a Council of Leaders elected by the people was created, which was endowed with only limited deliberative powers. In the 1940s and 1950s, an independence movement took shape on the island. In 1951 the Council of Leaders was transformed into the Nauru Council of Local Government, an advisory body to the colonial administration. By 1966, it was possible to achieve the creation of local Legislative and Executive Councils, which ensured internal self-government in Nauru. Independence was proclaimed on January 31, 1968.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, in the American Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, proposals were made to create a single state on the territory of Micronesia and part of the islands of Polynesia, which was to include Nauru. However, these plans were not destined to come true, and the Trust Territory itself broke up into four states (Marshall Islands, Palau, Northern Mariana Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia).

Economy

The main source of income in Nauru is the export of high quality phosphate rock. Thanks to this, GDP per person is 13 thousand dollars. Approx. 2 million tons of phosphorites, and their reserves are rapidly depleted. Coconut trees are grown on the island. Developed fishing. The economy largely depends on the influx of labor from outside, mainly from the neighboring island states of Kiribati and Tuvalu.

Food, fuel, machinery and equipment, building materials, and consumer goods are imported into the country. The export value of phosphorites is four times the amount of imports.

The main foreign trade partners are Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Great Britain.

Nauru has a 3.9 km railway linking the phosphorite mining area in the center of the island with a port on the southwest coast. A 19 km long highway has been laid along the coast. There is an airport.