Where is Nauru located. The main resorts of Nauru. Current situation and economy

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. Along the perimeter of the island stretches a strip of sandy terraces and beaches with a width of 100 to 300 m. The island is bordered by a narrow barrier reef separating 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 is obtained from 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. Also common different types shrub formations. 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 for themselves additional source 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 only liberated 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 Federated States 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, UK.

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

The state of Nauru, whose area is 21 sq. km, located on the island of the same name in the Pacific Ocean just south of the equator. Officially, there is no capital in the country; Yaren serves as the administrative center. Nauru's closest neighbor is Kiribati and is over 300 km away. Command Ridge - mountain range, which is the highest point of Nauru.

Population of Nauru

12 thousand people live in the country, the majority are Nauruans - 58%, Polynesians - 26%, Chinese - 8%, Europeans - 8%.

Nature of Nauru

Most of the island is covered with hardwood forests and shrubs. There are no mammals in Nauru, there are many birds and insects.

Climatic conditions

The island is dominated by an equatorial, monsoonal climate. The average annual temperature is +30…34°C. heavy rains start in November and run until the end of February.

Language

Officially, the country has two languages ​​- local Nauruan and English.

Kitchen

Food shortages in Nauru have led to local kitchen does not differ in variety. Some root crops and grains, coconuts and seafood are eaten. Unlike other countries in Oceania, fast food is popular in Nauru.

Religion

The majority of the believing population of Nauru are Protestants - 70%, Catholics - 30%.

Holidays

January 31st is Independence Day in Nauru, May 17th is Constitution Day. On October 26, the country celebrates a very important date for the state - Angam Day (Day of Joy), to commemorate the day when the population reached 1,500 people. Such a number was necessary so that the inhabitants of the country could be considered a nation with the right to independent existence. On October 26, 1932, 1500 inhabitants were born, and this day was declared a public holiday.

Currency of Nauru

The monetary unit in the country is the Australian dollar (AUD code).

Time

Nauru time is 8 hours ahead of Moscow.

The main resorts of Nauru

Divers count the territorial waters of Nauru perfect place for diving, as sunken ships and planes lie at different depths, and coastal reefs are rich in bizarre inhabitants. Particularly popular are the Aivo harbor area and Kaiser College. Fans of sport fishing also go to the island of Nauru, especially since local fishermen are very sociable and gladly discover the secrets of skill. lovers beach holiday Anibar Bay is wonderful, coral beaches which are surrounded by palm trees. The island has restaurants, nightclubs, casinos, which are more here than in any other country in Oceania.

Sights of Nauru

The state of Nauru is already an attraction in itself: it is the smallest independent republic, the only country that does not have a capital, the smallest island power. In Yaren, at the National Tourism Office, unique samples of folk crafts, ancient clothes, stone tools have been preserved. IN national museum you can see household items of the ancient inhabitants of the island and other archaeological artifacts.

The natural attraction of the country are the caves with the underground lake Mokva-Vell located near the yaren.

Nauruan, Nauruan, Nauruan,

naurets, naurets

Republic of Nauru - dwarf state on the coral island of the same name in the Western Pacific Ocean with an area of ​​​​21.3 km² and a population of 10,084 people (2011). Independence was proclaimed in 1968.

Nauru is located 42 km south of the equator. nearest island Banaba is located 288 km to the east and belongs to the republic. Nauru is the smallest independent republic in Nauru, the smallest island state, the smallest state outside and does not have an official capital ( unofficial capital countries - the city of Yaren, where the parliament and the airport of the country are located).

The state is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. On September 14, 1999, the Republic of Nauru was admitted to the UN. Nauru is a member of the South Pacific Commission and the Pacific Islands Forum.

Name

The origin of the word "Nauru" is not exactly known. As now, the Nauruans in the distant past called the island " Naoero". The German professor Paul Hambruch, who visited the island in 1909-1910, gave the following explanation of the etymology of this word: according to him, "Naoero" is an abbreviation of the phrase " a-nuau-a-a-ororo" (in modern spelling " A nuaw ea arourõ”), which translates from the Nauruan language as “ I'm going to the seaside". However, the German Catholic missionary Alois Kaiser, who lived on the island of Nauru for more than 30 years and intensively studied the Nauruan language, did not recognize this interpretation, since in the local language, after the word "seashore" used with the verb of motion, the demonstrative word " rodu", which translates as " down". The Nauruans themselves understand the word "seashore" as the deepest, low-lying place of the island. It is used both in relation to land and to the sea. The very fact that Hambruch does not take into account the word "rodu" in explaining the etymology of the word "Naoero" suggests that his assumptions are unfounded.

The island has other names: until 1888, English colonists called Nauru "Pleasant" island (eng. Pleasant island). The Germans called him Nawodo" or " Onawero". Late spelling of the word Nauru" was changed to " Naoero", so that Europeans correctly pronounce the name of the country.

Physical and geographical characteristics

General geography

Nauru Map

The island of Nauru lies in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, about 42 km from the equator. The nearest island, Banaba (Oshen), is located 288 km east of Nauru and belongs to. The area of ​​the exclusive economic coastal zone (EEZ) is 308,480 km², of which 570 km² is in territorial waters.

Nauru Island - Raised coral atoll, confined to the top of the volcanic cone. The island has an oval shape, from the east the coast is concave - there is the Gulf of Anibar. The area of ​​the island is 21.3 km², length - 6 km, width - 4 km. Length coastline- about 18 km. The most high point- 65 meters (according to various sources 61-71 meters) - located on the border of the districts of Ayvo and Buada. Approximately at a distance of 1 km from the coast, the depth of the ocean reaches more than 1000 meters. This is due to the fact that in this place there is a steep cliff that reaches the ocean floor.

The surface of the island is a narrow coastal plain 100-300 meters wide, surrounding a limestone plateau, which reaches a height of 30 meters in the central part of Nauru. The plateau was previously covered with a thick layer of phosphorites (Nauruite), presumably formed (for other versions see below) from the excrement of seabirds. The island is bordered by a narrow reef (about 120-300 meters wide), exposed at low tide and dotted with reef peaks. There are 16 channels dug into the reef, allowing small boats to come directly to the shore of the island.

Geology

Physical map of Nauru

Proposed stages in the geological history of Nauru

In the interior of the island there are huge limestone battlements and pyramids left over from phosphorite mining. The height of these structures in some places exceeds 10 meters, and the quarry itself is a huge labyrinth with many hollows and depressions. The narrow gauge railway was built specifically to facilitate the delivery of mined phosphorites to the port of the island. In the area of ​​limestone blocks, there is practically no soil cover, so all rainwater does not linger on the surface, but seeps through the rock.

Geographers, geomorphologists and geologists carefully studied the relief, soil and geological structure of the island, and from the data obtained they reconstructed in detail the geological history of Nauru. Nauru Atoll has existed since very ancient times. There is still a fringing reef of Tertiary corals. According to geological studies, in the Paleogene, the surface of the bottom of the modern lagoon of the island was 60 meters below the current level of the World Ocean (that is, almost the entire island was flooded with water). During the Miocene of the Neogene era, the atoll was significantly elevated: the bottom of the modern lagoon was 10 meters higher than the current level of the World Ocean. Presumably at the same time, the island of Nauru was subjected to severe erosion, as a result of which changes in the karst relief occurred. Subsequently central part the islands were under water, resulting in a shallow lagoon in the center of the atoll. Sediments of various deposits rich in phosphorus accumulated in numerous depressions and hollow spaces between the reef limestone. The flooding of the island lasted for a rather long period, so during this time the sediments in the lagoon underwent significant changes: the available phosphorus compounds were enriched.

This was followed by a long period of land uplift of Nauru. The surface of the lagoon was free of water, and plants began to appear on the atoll. At present, the inner region of Nauru rises 20-30 meters above the ocean surface. Only one depression has survived on the island, the Buada lagoon, which is completely isolated from ocean waters.

Lifeless "lunar landscape" in the area of ​​worked-out phosphorite quarries. Limestone blocks not overgrown with grass, having a height of up to 15 m, are clearly visible.

In the above picture of geological processes on the island of Nauru, there are two controversial moment. First, the described process of formation of the local relief is called into question. In addition to the hypothesis that the relief was karstized and the reef limestone dissolved in water, there is another point of view. On the coast and in rocky shallow waters, especially in the eastern part of the island, there is a large number of preserved small stone columns, which for a very long period were subject to erosion by sea waves. It can be imagined how strongly the shallow water areas were subjected to the impact of the ocean during the uplift of the island. This space was not protected, in any case, wide passages were formed in the rounded reef. Further uplift of the surface of Nauru only led to continued erosion, and rainwater smoothed out the stone columns and battlements.

Secondly, the process of formation of phosphorites remains controversial. In the quarries where the so-called "nauruite" was mined, it can be seen that the layer of phosphorus deposits has a very complex structure: numerous fragments of various heights are typical. Consequently, the original accumulation of phosphorites, which usually form from the dead mass of plankton, has been subjected to multiple changes under the influence of erosion and change in occurrence.

In the complex and long history of the island, there were periods of strong typhoons when debris was washed out. Similar changes can still be observed on many Pacific atolls. On Nauru, a thin layer of soil was constantly washed away, while nodules of phosphorites through which rainwater seeped through did not disappear. Gradually, hollow landforms, primarily depressions and crevices of blocks of reef limestone, were filled with gravel and debris.

There is another version of the origin of the phosphorite deposit on the island: in the process of weathering of the rocks, depressions and sharp cones formed on the surface, which served as an ideal place for nesting birds. Gradually, the island became covered with excrement of seabirds. The formed gradually turned into calcium phosphate. The content of phosphate in the rock of the island exceeds 90%.

Climate

The climate on Nauru is equatorial monsoon, hot and humid. 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. Such significant fluctuations are explained by the El Niño phenomenon. The rainy season lasts from November to February, when the western monsoons (cyclone season) predominate. From March to October, northeasterly winds prevail. About 30 million m³ of water falls on the island a year with almost no surface runoff.

The government of Nauru is concerned about the problem of global warming, since if the level of the World Ocean rises, the island is threatened by flooding. Therefore, the republic is trying to attract the attention of the world community, primarily through the UN.

Hydrology and soils

Anibar Bay (east coast)

There are no rivers on the island of Nauru. In the southwestern part of the island there is a small, slightly brackish Lake Buada, which is fed by rainwater. Its level is 5 meters higher than the level of the ocean surrounding Nauru.

One of the island's problems is scarcity. Against the backdrop of an increase in the population of the country, it is becoming more acute every year. There is only one desalination plant operating on the island, which runs on electricity generated by Nauru's only power plant. However, due to the very high cost of electricity, the desalination plant often stops working. During rains, the population collects water in special containers and then uses it for domestic needs, for watering gardens and for livestock. During the drought, water is brought in by ship from Australia.

In Yaren County, there is a small underground lake, Mokua Vel, connected to the Mokua cave system. Near the coast, on the border of the Iyuv and Anabar districts, there is a cluster of small lagoons, surrounded on all sides by land.

The soil layer on the coast of Nauru is very thin, only 25 centimeters, and consists of more coral debris and gravel than sand. On the central plateau, thin soils are mainly represented on top of limestone blocks, consisting of organic matter and sand or dolomite with a low content of phosphates. The arable land layer is about 10-30 cm deep and overlies reddish-yellow subsoils that vary in depth from 25 to 75 cm.

Flora and fauna

Satellite image of Nauru taken in 2002. Vegetation cover has been restored on 63% of the area of ​​depleted phosphorite quarries

Due to the very small size of the island, its isolation from the mainland and large archipelagos, Nauru has only 60 species of native vascular plants, none of which are endemic. Severe destruction after World War II, monoculture expansion of the coconut palm and mining of phosphorites led to the destruction of the vegetation cover in most of Nauru, which has now been restored to 63% of the territory.

Coconut palms, pandanus, ficus, laurel and other deciduous trees grow everywhere on the island. Various types of shrub formations are also widespread. The most dense vegetation is confined to the coastal strip of the island with a width of about 150-300 m and to the vicinity of Lake Buada. Hibiscus is found in the interior of Nauru, as well as plantings of cherry, almond and mango trees.

The low-lying areas of the island are covered with dense vegetation, represented mainly by low-growing plants, while woody plants predominate in the higher areas.

The fauna of Nauru is poor. All mammals were introduced by people: small rats, cats, dogs and pigs, as well as chickens. Reptiles are presented. The avifauna is more diverse - only 6 species (waders, terns, petrels, frigatebirds, pigeons). Nauru has only one species of songbird, the Nauru warbler ( Acrocephalus rehsei), endemic to the island. Lots of insects and other invertebrates. The waters around the island are home to a variety of sharks, sea urchins, shellfish, crabs and many poisonous marine animals.

Story

Nauruan Warrior (1880)

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. Nauru was the first among Europeans to discover on November 8, 1798, sailing from China to China, English captain John Fearn, who gave the island the name "Pleasant" (eng. Pleasant island), which was actively used for 90 years. At that time, the formation of medium-complex stratified social systems was observed on Nauru. The main crops were coconut palm and pandanus. Nauruans fished on the reef, from canoes and with the help of specially trained birds - large frigates. They were also able to acclimatize in Lake Buada (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 (Europeans) brought venereal diseases to the island, soldered Nauruans, kindled internecine wars, which became incomparably more bloody due to the use of firearms.

Nauru was annexed by Germany in 1888

On April 16, 1888, the island of Nauru was annexed and included in the protectorate under the control of the Jaluit Company. 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. A small military detachment was transferred on a ship owned by the Pacific Phosphate Company. The Australians were only slightly ahead of the Japanese, who were also ordered to occupy the island rich in phosphorites. The Australians pursued several goals. Firstly, it was important to disrupt the German Etappendienst system by capturing the transmitting station on the island (the station was part of a network of radio stations providing communication with German ships and vessels). Secondly, the Commonwealth government was wary of the actions of the Commonwealth, 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 out from a private company all its rights to phosphorite deposits and created a joint company "British Phosphate Commission" (eng. British Phosphate Commision) for the development of phosphorite deposits and their sale. Intensive development of phosphorites was carried out until the Second World War, but only meager compensation was paid to the indigenous people.

Japanese anti-aircraft gun during the war

Nauru Island attacked by a B-24 Liberator bomber from the US Seventh Air Force (1943)

In early December 1940, the German auxiliary cruisers Komet and Orion sank one and several merchant ships near 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 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 the 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, only 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 on September 13, 1945. During the period of Japanese occupation, 1,200 Nauruans were deported to the Chuuk Islands (then called Truk) in the Caroline Islands, where 463 of them died. In January 1946, the surviving Nauruans returned to their homeland.

Since 1947, Nauru has become a United Nations Trust Territory, while continuing to be jointly administered by Britain, Australia and New Zealand; administration was again carried out by Australia. In the mid-1970s, up to 2 million tons of phosphate rock were mined and exported annually, worth A$24 million. In 1927, a popularly elected Council of Leaders 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 Chiefs was transformed into the Nauruan 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 and part of the islands, which was supposed to include Nauru. However, these plans were not destined to come true, and the trust territory itself broke up into four states -, and.

The territory of Nauru is divided into 14 administrative districts, which are combined into 8 electoral districts.

Population

Population dynamics

Population by county

natural movement

Young and rapidly growing population, based on the 2011 census; the total population at the time of the census was 10,084 inhabitants (5,105 males and 4,979 females). This is more than in 2006 with 9233 inhabitants, since 2006 the population has increased by 9.22% or 851 people. The average annual growth rate during this period was 1.844%, that is, the annual population growth was within 170 people per year, for the period 2006-2011. However, the current population growth is much higher than 1.8% as Nauru's birth rate is increasing at around 29‰, which means an increase of about 300 people per year. At the current high rate of growth, the population will double and reach 20,000 inhabitants in 2038.

There is an increase in the total fertility rate due to the recovery of economic life, the total fertility rate (TFR) increased from 3.4 births per woman in 2004 to 4.3 in 2010. Between 2007 and 2011, there were an average of 350 births per year, which is approximately equal to the birth rate of 35‰.

The teenage birth rate is very high - the number of births to women aged 15-19 is 81 children per 1000 women.

natural movement

marriages

The marriage age for women is lower than for men. The average age of marriage for men and women was 24.4 and 22.6, respectively. At the age of 15-19, 13% of women were already married, while only 4% of men were married at this age.

Total life expectancy

Lifespan

Life expectancy at birth for the period 2007-2011 was 57.5 and 63.2 years for men and women, respectively, for men life expectancy did not change, while for women life expectancy increased by 5 years, when in the period 2002-2006 the total life expectancy for men was 57.5 years , and for women 58.2 years.

Number and placement

Village on Nauru (1896)

According to the October 2011 census, the population of the Republic of Nauru was 10,084 people, including 5,105 men and 4,979 women. Population density - 473.43 people. per km². In addition, on the territory of the island there is a camp for refugees who tried to illegally enter Australia; at the end of June 2016, it contained 442 people, including 338 men, 55 women and 49 children; a significant part of the refugees comes from, and.

In 1968, at the time of independence, the population was over 6 thousand people (6,057 in 1966).

Photograph of a residential area in Denigomodu and Nibok counties

Birth rate on Nauru is estimated at 24.47 per 1000 inhabitants, mortality - 6.65 per 1000, natural population growth - 1.781%. Infant mortality in 2007 was estimated at 9.6 per 1,000 newborns.

The proportion of children under 15 years old in 2007 was 37.8% (3813 people), of the adult population from 15 to 60 years old - 59.3% (5983 people), over 60 years old - 2.9% (287 people) . The average life expectancy for men in 2011 was 65 years, for women - 75 years.

official capital and there are no cities on the island. The President's residence is located in Meneng District, while government offices and Parliament are located in Yaren District. The entire population of the island lives along the coast, as well as around Lake Buada.

Age and Gender Pyramid of Nauru 2011

Sex and age structure

The registered resident population in 2011 consisted of 5,105 males and 4,979 females. Males outnumbered females by 126 resulting in a sex ratio of 103, meaning there were 103 males for every 100 females. However, since 1992, the sex ratio has steadily declined, with 105 men for every 100 women.

Age dynamics

Ethnic composition

The composition of Nauru's population is largely the result of the mining industry. Workers in the 1930s were imported from different parts of the world to work in the mines. Early reports show that in 1939 the foreign population was equal to the native Nauruan population. In 1977, the proportion was 60 percent foreign and 40 percent indigenous. These proportions increased in 1992 to 70 percent of foreigners. In 2006, the share of foreigners dropped to 6 per cent as a result of the massive exodus of migrant workers and their families due to the collapse of the phosphate mining industry. Phosphate industry continues to drive Nauru's economy, Trade and external relations and is likely to continue to have a clear and direct impact on populations in the future. About 91% (9031 people) of the population of Nauru are the indigenous people of the republic - the Nauruans. Of the total population of Nauru, people from other Pacific Islands (mainly Fijians and Tungarans) make up 4%, Europeans - 1.6% (161 people), Chinese - 1.5% (151 people). The proportion of foreign citizens in the country's population is high.

Based on the language of the Nauruans, it is customary to refer to the Micronesian group of peoples, however, not only Micronesians, but also Polynesians and Melanesians took part in the formation of this ethnic group.

Languages

Nauruans speak a Micronesian language, Nauruan. Until 1968, the Republic of Nauru was jointly owned by Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand, so English language, along with Nauruan, is the state language.

The writing of the Nauruan language was created about 100 years ago on the basis of the Latin alphabet and included 17 letters. Subsequently, due to the significant influence of other languages, primarily German, Tok Pisin and Kiribati, the alphabet expanded to 28 letters. A significant contribution to the study of this Micronesian language was made by the Catholic missionary Alois Kaiser, who wrote the textbook of the Nauru language, as well as (originally from) the Protestant missionary Philip Delaporte (eng. Philip Delaporte).

Religious composition

Today, Nauru is mostly Christian. The majority of Nauruans (60.5% - 6098 people) are representatives of Protestant churches, including 35.2% (3552 people) are followers of the Nauruan Congregational Church, which has its own chapels in the districts of Meneng, Buada, Anabar and Nibok, and main church in Ivo County. Believers from the Assembly of God - 12.8% (1291 people), the independent church of Nauru - 9.4% (945 people). There are small groups of Adventists, Baptists and Jehovah's Witnesses in the country.

About 32.5% (3278 people) of the inhabitants of Nauru are followers of the Catholic Church, which has its own chapel in the Yaren district, as well as a school in the Eva district (Kaiser College). About 5% of the inhabitants profess Buddhism and Taoism, 2% are Bahá'ís. A small group of Nauruans adhere to a traditional belief that includes the worship of the goddess Eijebong ( Eijebong) and island spirit Buitani ( Buitani).

The government restricts the activities of some denominations, such as the Modern Church of Jesus Christ and Jehovah's Witnesses (adherents are mainly among foreigners working in the Phosphate Corporation of Nauru). When a missionary of Jehovah's Witnesses from the Marshall Islands visited Nauru in 1979, he was deported.

In 1995, some of the restrictions were lifted. For example, the citizens of Nauru were given the right to preach from door to door.

Political structure

State symbols

The national flag, coat of arms, anthem and constitution of the Republic of Nauru were adopted and approved in 1968.

Political system

Political structure of Nauru

On December 15-16, 2009, the Republic of Nauru became the fourth country in the world to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, after, and.

Relations with the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China

On July 21, 2002, the Republic of Nauru severed diplomatic relations with the partially recognized one, established back in 1980, and established diplomatic relations with the PRC. Nauruan President Rene Harris signed an agreement with the People's Republic of China, according to which the country recognized only one government of China - the government of the People's Republic of China. The People's Republic of China, on the other hand, committed itself to provide financial assistance to Nauru in the amount of $60 million, as well as to help pay off $77 million of General Electric's debt.

The reaction of the Republic of China followed immediately: the government of the republic accused the PRC of dollar diplomacy and did not rule out the possibility of demanding from the government of Nauru the payment of a debt in the amount of 12.1 million US dollars, which went to build a hotel in Meneng.

In August 1993, the governments of the two countries signed the Compact of Settlement, which ended the lawsuit of Nauru against Australia in the International Court of Justice regarding the rehabilitation of lands where phosphate rock was mined before Nauru's independence. As a result, Australia paid Nauru A$57 million and pledged another A$50 million over 20 years.

Nauru is working with Australia to combat smuggling in the region.

On the territory of Nauru there is an Australian immigration center, which holds citizens various countries who tried to illegally enter Australia by sea. As of 2016, it contained more than 400 people. There are many documents that reflect the facts of violence and abuse against refugees in Nauru, including cases of sexual abuse of children. The inhumane conditions in the refugee camps on Nauru have been reported by the United Nations Refugee Agency and other international organizations.

Relations with EU countries

In August 1995, Nauru, as well as, broke off diplomatic relations with, after she tested atomic weapons at the atolls of Moruroa and Fangataufa in French Polynesia. However, on December 15, 1997, diplomatic relations with France were restored after the French government announced a halt to nuclear weapons testing in the region. In turn, the President of Nauru, Kinza Clodumar, appreciated the significant French assistance to the small nations of the Central and South Pacific.

In general, Nauru maintains friendly relations with European Union. European countries mainly help this Pacific state in the energy sector.

Diplomatic relations between Nauru and the USSR were established on December 30, 1987. Currently, the Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Australia concurrently is the Ambassador to the Republic of Nauru. In 2010, Russia allocated $50 million to Nauru to solve social problems. This decision in the media was associated with the fact that in 2009 Nauru recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

On September 24, 2014, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nauru, Baron Waka, signed an agreement on a visa-free regime. Effective May 14, 2015.

Current situation and economy

general characteristics

Loading phosphorites onto a bulk carrier using a conveyor

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Republic of Nauru, which had an abundance of phosphorites, belonged to the richest countries in the world in terms of per capita income - 13 thousand US dollars. The gross national product in 1986 was $20,000 per capita. The economy of the island then largely depended on the influx of labor from outside, mainly from neighboring island states - and. At that time, the value of exports of phosphorites was four times the amount of imports, and Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United Kingdom were the main foreign trade partners. Anticipating the closure of the only source of foreign exchange earnings in the near future, the government invested a significant part of export earnings in real estate abroad and special accumulation funds. However, when the mineral reserves were almost exhausted, it turned out that the state did not take enough care of the country's future.

The mining of phosphorites has had a devastating effect on the relief and vegetation cover of the plateau in the central part of the island. By 1989, the territory, which occupies about 75%, was actively developed, and about 90% of the forest that covered the plateau was destroyed (only 200 hectares of vegetation remained). No land reclamation measures were taken, and by the end of the 20th century, up to 80% of the land had turned into a wasteland resembling a “lunar landscape”.

In 1989, the Republic of Nauru filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice over Australia's handling of the island - and in particular the severe environmental impacts resulting from phosphate mining. Australia had to pay compensation. The depletion of the mines also led to political instability, from 1989 to 2003 the government changed 17 times in the country.

In the 1990s, the island of Nauru turned into an offshore zone. Several hundred banks were registered there, which in 1998 received deposits from Russia for 70 billion US dollars. Under pressure from the FATF (Intergovernmental Commission on Combating Money Laundering) and under the threat of sanctions from the side, the Republic of Nauru was forced in 2001 to restrict, and in 2003 to ban the activities of offshore banks and take measures against money laundering.

The Republic of Nauru was engaged in the sale of passports foreign citizens(the so-called “investor passports”), but in recent years this practice has been abandoned.

At the beginning of 2003, an acute political crisis erupted in Nauru. There were two contenders for the role of president at once: Rene Harris and Bernard Doviyogo. During the clashes that broke out, the presidential residence burned down and telephone communications were cut off. Communication with the outside world for several weeks was carried out only when a ship with a satellite phone entered the port.

A significant part of the country's income in recent years has been Australian aid. Keeping refugees on their territory seeking to get to Australia is an important income of the country, sponsored by Australia.

Agriculture

Bananas, pineapples, papaya, mangoes, breadfruit, coconut palms are grown on the coastal strip of the island, which mainly go to the local market.

Fishing

Nauru's fishing industry is still in its infancy, with only two small fishing boats in the country that fish mainly for the domestic market. Part of the tuna caught is exported to Australia and Japan, but incomes are still very low: in 2001, for example, only about 600 kg of tuna per week were exported. In 2000, the first fish market appeared on Nauru, which also provided part of the country's population with work.

Recently, a significant source of replenishment of the local budget has become income from the issuance of licenses for the right to catch fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). So, in 2000, the income amounted to about 8.5 million Australian dollars. The main partners in this area are fishing companies from China, South Korea, and.

Aquaculture is also developing on Nauru: in small artificial reservoirs fish is farmed on the island, mainly for the domestic market.

Industry

Quarry next to Buada lake

In the 1980s, the extraction of phosphorites decreased significantly (from 1.67 million tons in 1985-1986 to 162 thousand tons in 2001-2002) and was completely stopped in 2003. But thanks to an investment from an Australian phosphate mining company, " Incitex Pivot» The mining infrastructure was restored, and already in September 2006, the export of phosphorites resumed. Presumably, the primary reserves of this rock should have been enough until 2009-2010.

Food, fuel, machinery and equipment, building materials, and consumer goods are imported into the country.

Transport

The length of roads to Nauru is about 40 km. The length of paved roads is 29 km, of which 17 km are located along the coast. A 12-kilometer unpaved road stretches from the area of ​​phosphorite mining to the coast. Nauru International Airport is located in the south of the island. The national airline of Nauru is Nauru Airlines, which operates two Boeing 737 aircraft.

Nauru has a 3.9 km long railway linking the phosphorite mining area in the center of the island with a port on the southwest coast. Public transport absent, and most families use private vehicles. There is sea communication.

Connection

The first postage stamps were issued on Nauru in 1916. They were UK stamps overprinted " NAURU».

Nauru's only radio station is owned by the government and mainly broadcasts " Radio Australia" And BBC. There is also government television on the island" Nauru TV».

Nauru has no regular print media. Newspapers are published from time to time Nauru Bulletin" (in English and Nauru) and " The Visionary” (a newspaper owned by the opposition party Naoero Amo). Newspapers are published once every two weeks. Central Star News" And " Nauru Chronicle».

Since September 1998, the Internet has appeared on Nauru, it is provided by the CenpacNet company. Subscription users are estimated to make up only half of the total Internet audience in Nauru. Back in May 2001, CenpacNet launched several state-of-the-art Internet cafes under its own brand. They provide users with Internet access at a cost of $5 per hour. In addition, in the cafe you can scan documents and process digital photos.

The telecommunication system of the island is well developed. Many public telephones have direct access to the international IDD system, but due to the fact that the service is carried out through the networks of Australian companies, outgoing international calls are made through operators. Recently, there have been regular disruptions in communication, as foreign companies serving this market refuse to provide their services without pre-payment. Cellular communication of the AMPS standard covers almost the entire island. Local networks are not compatible with the GSM standard, therefore, if you need to maintain constant communication, it is recommended to rent local format phones at the offices of mobile operators.

Tourism

Nauru House in Melbourne (center). This building was formerly owned by the Nauru Phosphate Company, but was sold in 2004 to pay off debts.

Tourism on the island is limited due to environmental pollution left after the mining of phosphorites. Russian citizens do not need a visa to visit Nauru. All passengers leaving the country are charged airport tax AU$25 payable directly at the airport. Children under the age of 12, crew members, transit passengers and persons who have a special written permission from the Ministry of Justice of Nauru are exempted from paying the fee.

Monetary system and finance

At the beginning of the 21st century, the government of Nauru faced many financial problems, primarily due to a decrease in the export of phosphorites. As a result, in 2002 the country was unable to repay debts to some creditors on time. The government continues to rely on the resources of the Bank of Nauru, which is trying to solve the problem of budget deficits and royalties.

The monetary unit of Nauru is the Australian dollar. The level of inflation on the island is quite high - 4% in 2001 (this is mainly due to an increase in oil prices on the world market and the cost of its transportation). In 2000, the budget deficit amounted to 10 million Australian dollars, or about 18% of the country's GDP. Public debt has increased - in 2000 it amounted to 280 million Australian dollars.

There is no sales tax in Nauru, however, a number of goods are subject to customs duties, the rules of which are changed from time to time. Tobacco products and alcohol are not taxed.

Shop opening hours: Monday to Friday - from 09:00 to 17:00, on Saturdays - from 09:00 to 13:00, but many private shops operate on their own schedule.

culture

There is very little information about the early culture of the island of Nauru: due to the strong influence of the West, many customs and traditions have already been forgotten. local residents. The absence of writing among the ancient Nauruans only complicates the study of the cultural wealth of the country.

Social organization of the pre-colonial inhabitants of the island of Nauru

Nauruans (1890)

The early culture of the Nauruans was based on the culture of the 12 tribes that inhabited the island. There was no common leader on Nauru, and each tribe had its own history. Traditionally, tribes were divided into clans, and each person in it belonged to certain classes: temonibe(naur. Temonibe), emo(naur. Emo), amenengame(naur. Amenengame) and engame(naur. Engame). The two poor classes were named itsio(naur. Itsio) and itiora(naur. Itiora). The main factor in determining a person's belonging to a particular class was the origin of the mother. A privileged position was occupied by temonibe, who were allowed to engage in fishing and who even owned certain areas on the sea.

Most of the settlements were at that time on the seashore, and only a few were located near Lake Buada. The islanders lived in small "estates" consisting of two or three houses. Most of them united in villages. In total, there were 168 villages on Nauru, united in 14 regions, which currently form the 14 administrative districts of the island.

Each family on Nauru owned a plot, and some even owned fish ponds near Lake Buada. The land was inherited.

Sport

1999 Australian Football match at the Linkbelt Oval

The national sport of Nauru is Australian football. There is also a national football team, but it has not yet been recognized by either FIFA or the Oceania Football Confederation due to the lack of professional players and large stadiums in the country. The color of the players' uniforms is blue with a yellow transverse stripe. The first game of the national team with a team from another country took place on October 2, 1994. In it, the Nauru national team beat the national team with a score of 2: 1. It was a huge win because Solomon islands were considered the clear favorite (they became the winner of the Melanesia Cup in the same year). There are several sports grounds and stadiums on the island: Linkbelt Oval (located in Aiwo County, but it is significantly outdated and does not meet international standards), Meneng Stadium (built in 2006 and seats 3,500 people) and Denig Stadium.

Weightlifting, softball, basketball and tennis are very popular. The government of the country pays the most attention to weightlifting: it is in this discipline that Nauru has achieved the greatest success. After the sensational victory of weightlifter Marcus Stephen at the Commonwealth Games in 1990, the Nauru National Olympic Committee was established in Nauru. In 1992, Marcus became the first Nauruan to take part in the Olympic Games in. Officially, Nauru was admitted to Olympic Movement in 1996. The first official athletes from Nauru were Marcus Steven, Gerard Garabwan and Quincy Detenamo.

The most successful tennis players in Nauru are David Detudamo and Angelita Detudamo.

Holidays

Social sphere

healthcare

As a result of an effective government program to address health problems, which has as its main goals the improvement of the water supply of the population and the implementation of constant sanitary and preventive measures, outbreaks of infectious diseases on the island have been avoided in recent years. However, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, as well as respiratory diseases, have become the main causes of death in humans. The population of Nauru suffers greatly from obesity. According to the UN, Nauru ranks first in the world in terms of the number of people who are obese. In 2003, Nauru's adult prevalence of diabetes (30.2%) was the highest in the world. The causes of obesity in Nauru, as in other regions with a recent industrial past, are associated with the spread of cheap high-calorie foods, primarily canned meat.

One of the main problems in Nauruan health care is the problem of personnel, so the government of the country is trying to attract as many specialists as possible to this area. Medical care on the island is free. In July 1999, the Nauru General Hospital and the National Phosphate Corporation Hospital (eng. National Phosphate Corporation Hospital) were merged into the Republic of Nauru Hospital, which employs only five doctors. People with serious illnesses are mostly sent to Australia for treatment.

In 1995-1996, health care expenditures amounted to A$8.9 million, or 8.9% of the country's total budget. Most of professional doctors are expatriates.

Education

Education in Nauru is compulsory for children from 6 to 15 years old (grades 1-10). The educational system also includes 2 levels for young children: preschool (eng. Pre-school) and preparatory stage (eng. Preparatory school).

Primary education is provided during the first 6 years of schooling, i.e. for children aged 6 to 11. The first two years of study are held at the Yaren Primary School, the third and fourth at the Aiwo Primary School, and from the fifth at the Nauru College. At the end of elementary school, exams are taken to obtain a Certificate of Primary Education (Eng. Nauru Primary Certificate).

The next step is secondary school (grades 7-10 are compulsory and grades 11-12 are optional). After grade 10, exams are taken to obtain a Certificate of Secondary Education (Eng. Nauru Junior Certificate). In the case of continuing education at the end of the 12th grade, exams are taken for a Certificate of Secondary Complete Education (eng. Pacific Senior School Certificate).

Residents of the island receive higher education abroad, mainly in Australia. Nauru also has a branch of the University of the South Pacific. University of the South Pacific), which conducts distance learning courses.

Education in Nauru is free.

Notes

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- an island state in the center of the Pacific Ocean, a few kilometers south of the equator. Represents coral island oval shape.

The name comes from the ethnonym Naurans.

Official name: Republic of Nauru

Capital - There is no official capital and cities on the island. The seat of government is located in Meneng District, while government offices and parliament are located in Yaren District.

Square - 21 km2.

Population - 13 thousand people

Administrative division - The state is divided into 14 districts.

Form of government - Republic.

head of state - The president.

Official language - Nauru, English.

Religion - 60% - Protestants, 38% - Catholics.

Ethnic composition - 58% - Nauru (Naurians or Naurans), 26% - Melanesians, 8% - Chinese, 8% - Europeans ..

Currency - Australian dollar = 100 cents.

Internet domain: .nr

Mains voltage: ~220 V, 50 Hz

Phone country code: +674

Climate

Equatorial monsoon, very hot and humid.

The island of Nauru lies almost on the equator, so average monthly temperatures- from +28 C to +34 C change little throughout the year. At the same time, the daytime heat, due to the lack of vegetation and the strong heating of the rocky base from the scorching rays of the sun, can reach + 38-41 C, while at night it is only slightly cooler. Only in the period from March to October, when the northeast trade winds blow, the air temperature drops by 3-4 C, but only along the coast - the region of the Central Plateau warms up as significantly as at any other time of the year.

Precipitation falls about 2500 mm per year. From November to February, the cyclone season lasts, when the weather becomes extremely wet, and the island literally "drowns in the rain", but in the rest of the year, due to lack of vegetation and soil characteristics, real droughts are common.

Geography

The island of Nauru lies in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, about 42 km from the equator. The nearest island, Banaba (Oshen), is located 306 km east of Nauru and belongs to the Republic of Kiribati.

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. Length - 5.6 km, width - 4 km. The length of the coastline is about 19 km. The highest point - 65 m (according to various sources 61-71 m) - is located on the border of the districts of Aivo and Buada. Approximately at a distance of 1 km from the coast, the depth of the ocean reaches more than 1000 m. This is due to the fact that in this place there is a steep cliff that reaches the ocean floor.

The surface of the island is a narrow coastal plain 100-300 m wide, surrounding 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, presumably formed from the excrement of seabirds. The island is bordered by a narrow reef (about 120-300 m wide), exposed at low tide and dotted with reef peaks. There are 16 channels dug into the reef, allowing small boats to approach directly the shore of the island.

Flora and fauna

There are 60 species of plants recorded on the island, but none of them is a natural inhabitant of this land - almost all of them have been introduced by humans to one degree or another. Bananas, pineapples and vegetables are grown on the fertile lands around the Buada lagoon, coral remnants cover small pockets of secondary vegetation. 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 widespread. 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 is also extremely scarce - only about 20 species of birds can be attributed to the natural inhabitants of the island, including the most famous local inhabitant - the reed nightingale, or the Nauru canary, as well as about a hundred species of insects and earth crabs common to the islands of the region. All other animals (Polynesian rat, pigs, dogs, etc.) were brought here by man. From mammals, rats are found, from reptiles - lizards. The avifauna is more diverse (waders, terns, petrels, frigatebirds, pigeons, etc.). Lots of insects.

Dangerous plants and animals

In the waters around the islands, there are several varieties of sharks and many poisonous sea creatures (primarily sea snakes, some types of fish and corals). Some species marine life contain poisonous toxins in their meat, so it is always recommended to consult with the locals about the safety of a particular product. When swimming, it is better to use wetsuits, and to enter the water on an unequipped coast, wear strong shoes that protect your feet from the needles of marine animals and sharp edges of coral fragments.

Banks and currency

Australian dollar (AUD, A$), 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.

American Express, Diners Club and Visa credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but there are no ATMs on the island. Traveler's checks can be cashed at banks and hotels. Despite the widespread use of non-cash means of payment, in many places a clear preference is given to cash.

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

Useful information for tourists

Nauru has little to offer the traveler - beaches on secluded coral reefs and atolls, colorful coral reefs themselves, sunken ships and planes from the Second World War that literally surround the island. Pure water and excellent conditions for sport fishing make it attractive for lovers active rest. Drinking water is imported.

The export of samples of plants and animals under state protection, eggs and stuffed birds, as well as products made from leather, bone, bird feathers, shells and corals is prohibited.

Nauru on the world map

Nauru on the world map
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Nauru, a small island in the Pacific Ocean, is located 42 kilometers from the equator. It was inhabited by Polynesians about 3000 years ago. The name is ancient, but its meaning has been lost for centuries. The British called this island "Pleasant" The area of ​​​​the island is only 21 square kilometer, located on a volcanic uplift, overgrown with corals, the island rises above sea level up to 65 meters, which is quite high for the islands of Micronesia. Literally a kilometer from the shore, the depth is already a kilometer, a sheer wall reaching the ocean floor.

Until recently, it was really pleasant to live on the island. But, large deposits of phosphorites did not allow various capitalists around the world to sleep peacefully. Phosphorites began to be developed and the life of the population changed a lot. During World War II, the Japanese occupied the island and deported the population. Obviously, so as not to interfere with the development of phosphorites for free. Later the population returned. In 1970-80, Nauru was one of the richest countries in the world, with per capita income rising to $20,000 a year. Nauru joined the UN, had many diplomatic ties with world powers.

Nauru Map

But, production was steadily falling and, although the government tried to place funds in foreign banks, it could not ensure a comfortable existence for its citizens. By the end of the 20th century, the surface of Nauru became like a lunar landscape due to the destruction of vegetation. And the Naurites got a big compensation out of Australia.

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Nauru in the 90s was one of the most popular offshore zones in the world. In particular, about 70 billion dollars passed through this island from Russia alone. The income from this was enough to renovate apartments and rooms for every Naur. Then they came up with an even more profitable business - the recognition of newly formed states. In particular, they say that Russia paid Nauru $50 million for the recognition of Abkhazia.