Nauru
Nauru is a small island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands and is the world's smallest independent republic. Although other island states may be smaller and/or less populous, they are all dependent territories of other countries.
Culture and History
Nauru's phosphate deposits, which occupied about 90% of the island, began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium. During World War I, the island was occupied by Australian forces and became a dependent territory. Nauru achieved independence in 1968. Most of its economy has been based on mining phosphate, which has been exported to Australia and New Zealand for fertiliser. While phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World, these deposits are rapidly running out, and with few other natural resources, Nauru has turned to other methods of raising revenue.
In 2001 the container ship Tampa rescued several hundred "boat people" from a sinking Indonesian vessel attempting to the deliver them to Christmas Island, which is Australian territory. In what is cynically known as The Pacific Solution, Australia hastily established an internment camp for them on Nauru. In exchange for providing this service, Nauru was provided with extra aid by Australia.
The climate is tropical, with a monsoonal rainy season between November and February. Sandy beaches rise to the inhabited fertile ring around raised coral reefs. The central portion of the island is the exposed phosphate plateau.
Travel to Nauru, visa requirements
Flights to Nauru, airtickets
Nauru has an international airport. However, national carrier Air Nauru has been teetering on the edge of bankruptcy for years and had its last remaining plane impounded in December 2005, however on January 2006, following the arrival of a new aircraft, Our Airline (Air Nauru) re-started services to Nauru
Get around
A 19km road circles the island. There is a regular bus service around it. Hire cars and taxis are also available.
Talk
Nauruan is the official language. It is a distinct Pacific Island language. English is widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes.
Shopping, Nauru souvenirs
Nauru accepts the Australian dollar as its trading currency.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Food has to be imported because of less agricultural industry. Chinese food is recommended because it may be fresher than Nauruan imported food.
Nauru nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Drink is almost the same as in Europe and USA.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
There are two tourist institutions: The Menen Hotel, a recently refurbished hotel, which is luxurious. The other is a youth hostel in Aiwo in the southwest.
Learn
Work
Stay safe
Be extremely cautious bathing at the beaches of Nauru. There are wildlife and ocean current hazards. Take notice of what the locals are doing with regards to what areas are safe.
Stay healthy
Water supply in Nauru is dependent on roof-top rain collection and a desalination plant. Drinking water is often imported from Australia.
Respect
Contact
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