Nauru is an island that died from its own greed. The Amazing History of Nauru

This state is known for being the “most-most”: the smallest Island state; the smallest independent republic on Earth; most small state outside of 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 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. Railway. And at the site of development there were huge pyramids and limestone battlements.

There is a deficit on the island fresh water, 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 in this lake does not meet the needs of the population in drinking water, therefore, 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 an international court over Australia's actions during the administration of the island, especially the severe environmental consequences 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.

The coastal waters are inhabited by sharks, 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 strong economic crisis, which ended in political clashes, as a result of which the presidential residence burned down and telephone communications were cut off.
In recent years, Australia has been providing 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. In small artificial reservoirs breed fish 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. Exams are taken to obtain the Certificate of Primary Education.

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 official annexation by the 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 sprinkled 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.

Nauru is famous in the world mainly due to its three features. This is the smallest island state on our planet, the smallest independent republic and the smallest state outside Europe.
To this exclusivity of Nauru, it is usually added that there is no official capital in this state at all. This is true. Symbolically, this role is played by the Yaren district, where government offices are located, but the Aivo (Aiue) district looks more respectable, there are two hotels, a small boulevard, Chinatown, piers and a canal leading to them: in other places it is difficult to approach the coast because of the ring coral reefs. And channels are dug in them - narrow, for fishing boats.

Story

Despite its more than modest size, Nauru has a very solid history in terms of time. This cone-shaped atoll, volcanic in origin and overgrown with coral, is believed to have been inhabited by the "peoples of the sea" about 3,000 years ago. As most ethnologists believe, they were newcomers from the Bismarck Islands, children of the Oceania ethnos, united in antiquity, before the isolation of the Melanesian, Micronesian and Polynesian ethnic groups within it. For Europe, the island was discovered in 1798 by the Englishman John Fearn, who called it Pleasant: this is how the island was called for almost 90 years. The origin of the name Nauru is vague. Some linguists derive it from the phrase "I'm going ashore" in the Nauran language, others consider this version unlikely. In the 19th century white people began to settle on the island, mostly runaway convicts and sailors who arbitrarily left whaling ships. Their dashing manners and customs contributed to the fact that drunkenness, theft and venereal diseases appeared on Nauru. Then small merchants came, also not to say very cultured people. Fights, shootings have become commonplace in Nauru.
Finally, in 1888, the island was annexed by the Germans, who incorporated it into a protectorate. Missionaries from Germany converted the natives to Christianity, and that was the end of restoring order on the island, effectively handing over the reins of government to the Australians. And those in 1914, during the First World War, completely captured the island. In 1923, it acquired the status of a mandated territory of the League of Nations, while Australia received all the rights of administration, although it formally disposed of everything here on an equal footing with Great Britain and New Zealand. During World War II, from August 25, 1942 to September 13, 1945, Nauru was occupied by Japan. In 1947 the old order, now under a UN mandate, was restored. Little by little, a movement for independence began to take shape on the island, and in 1968 the desired goal was achieved. At the same time, the Republic of Nauru became a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, and later other international organizations.
Nauruans live mainly along the coastline in a strip 100-300 m wide and around Lake Buada. The water in it is a little brackish: the lake comes from a lagoon inside a coral reef, but there are no rivers on the island, the only source of fresh water is rain, and therefore it is considered very good to live near this lake, especially since it also has hanos fish. The natural world of Nauru cannot be called rich and diverse, but it is also poor, it is the way it was created by geographical and climatic conditions that are far from favorable for atolls in general, as well as newcomers from the continent. Of the trees here, the coconut palm predominates. There are also pandanus, several types of ficuses and shrubs. The soil is covered different types creeping vascular plants. Near Lake Buada there are cherry, almond and mango groves, hibiscus is found. Mammals are represented by cats, dogs, pigs and rodents brought by white settlers, from whom the islanders also received chickens. There are six types of birds on Naru. Reptiles are represented only by lizards.
The coral island of Nauru, on which the island of the same name is located miniature state, located in the western part Pacific Ocean, about 42 km south of the equator line, and belongs to Oceania. The nearest state-owned island, Banaba (Ogien), is 288 km to the east. To Australia - 4505 km to the northeast, to New Guinea - 1500 km to the west.
Approximately four-fifths of the island's area is occupied by the Topside Plateau, from 40 to 60 m above sea level, which for some time became a cornucopia for the economy of Nauru and a curse for its nature.
Once this plateau was completely covered with trees and shrubs. At the beginning of the XX century. a German-British consortium began to mine phosphates here. It was a highly profitable business, and no one thought that nature would suffer - neither the Nauruans themselves, nor the entrepreneurs: it seemed to them that the “golden age” that had come would never end. GDP per capita in Nauru in 1986 was $20,000. In the late 1980s, when market prices for phosphate dropped sharply, a recession set in. To date, phosphate reserves remain for several years. Limestone pits, deformed by erosion, gape at the quarry sites, petrified cliffs and dumps pile up above them. Language clichés like "lunar landscape" sound like sarcasm here. Clouds of white dust rise from the pits, settling on palm trees. And yet, about 65% of the soil cover has been restored thanks to the hardiness of vascular plants. The period of financial prosperity also had unexpected social consequences for Nauru. Mostly Chinese, immigrants from Tuvalu and Kiribati worked in the quarries, and Nauruans have forgotten how to work, local officials complain, which is why new jobs are not being created. This, of course, is cunning: officials simply do not know what to do with these problems, moreover, while the reserves of money made in the "fat" years, the inhabitants of the island have not yet dried up. Perhaps only the fishermen are working at full strength. Some are grown on small plantations. The main part of food, clean fresh water, fuel, building materials and even land is imported mainly from Australia.
When the mines began to close on Nauru, the government, consisting of four people, each of whom is responsible for several areas, launched a well-known scheme that works in other small states of Oceania: offshore and no control over financial transactions. This project put Nauru on the "black list" of many international credit organizations, on suspicion of facilitating money laundering by various mafias, which is not unfounded. Nevertheless, financial services in Nauru are still available and in demand. Although the offshore office is located in ... a small hut, it has about 200 registered banks from different countries. Income is also generated by the sale of Nauru citizenship, the issuance of stamps and commemorative coins.
As for tourism in Nauru, to tell the truth, only extreme lovers who are ready for everyday hardships get here. The beaches on Nauru nominally exist, just sit comfortably on their uneven surface, dotted with sharp fragments of coral and sea ​​urchins, it won’t work, they are not equipped with amenities, besides, you can get into a strong current near the coast, and the depth here begins abruptly and close to the edge of the coast. The only exception is, perhaps, the Anibare beach, and even then with reservations. It's the same story with golf courses. They exist, but most of them resemble abandoned wastelands. And pools in hotels are a relative concept, they do not always have water, simply because it is not enough. However, divers who collect in the register of their personal exploits different places, where you can hunt exotic fish, admire the underwater life of the ocean, coral reefs and sunken ships, visit the island quite regularly. They are satisfied with the adventure: 100 meters from the shore, the depth exceeds 1000 meters. An additional adrenaline rush is guaranteed: sharks, sea snakes and poisonous sea creatures are unceremoniously hosting here. You have to constantly be on the alert, and dive under water only in a special wetsuit with a high degree of protection.

general information

Form of government: parliamentary republic.

Administrative division: 14 districts.

Administrative center: Yaren District (Denigomodu).

Languages: English, Nauran.
Ethnic composition: Nauru people - 73.4%, other Polynesians - 10%, Chinese - 8%, Europeans - 8%.

Religions: Christianity (60.5% - Protestantism of various denominations, about 35.2% - Catholicism), about 5% of the inhabitants profess Buddhism and Taoism, 2% - Bahai. A small group of Nauruans adhere to traditional beliefs, worshiping the goddess Eijebong and the island spirit Buitani.

Currency unit: Australian dollar.

Lake : Buada.

Nearest airport: Nauru (international), flights to Brisbane (Australia) once a week.

Numbers

Population: 10,084 (2011).
Population density: 473.4 people / km 2.
Area of ​​exclusive economic coastal zone(EEZ): 308,480 km2, of which 570 km2 is in territorial waters.

highest point: Command Ridge (Janor), according to various sources - from 61 to 71 m.
coastline length: 18 km.

Climate and weather

Average annual temperature: approx. +27.5°C.
Average annual rainfall: 2060 mm, in especially rainy years that occur periodically - up to 4500 mm.

Rainy season: November to February.

Economy

Fishing.
Agriculture: cultivation of coconuts, yams, sweet potatoes, bananas, pineapples, papayas, mangoes.
Service sector: financial services, chartering of sea vessels, trade in fishing licenses in the Exclusive Economic Zone, tourism.

Attractions

Curious facts

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Republic of Nauru - 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. average temperature 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

Geographic Domain name first level:.nr

Emergency Phones

Each region has its own emergency telephone numbers.

Nauru is a small republic, which is a small oval coral island located just 25 miles south of the equator. If you characterize more precisely the location of the island, then it is located in the South Pacific Ocean, south of Marshall Islands. The state in terms of area is the third of the smallest countries in the world - less Nauru only Monaco and the Vatican. But meager territorial possessions are far from the most interesting thing in the life of this country. Much more interesting is the unusual story that happened to the whole country. The country of Nauru, which was always very poor, suddenly became fabulously rich, but quickly lost its treasures, again falling below the poverty line. How could this happen? The story is not only fascinating, but also quite instructive.

The land of the Pacific island is a plateau with sandy beach and palm trees, surrounded by coral reefs. It would seem a tropical equatorial paradise. People have always lived there quietly, calmly and poorly. The islanders sometimes saw only visiting sailors from whaling ships. The first British navigator landed on this coast in 1798.

During World War II, Nauru was occupied by the Japanese, but soon the island came under the control of Australia. The people of Nauru received their long-awaited independence only in 1968.

The Amazing History of Nauru

Now oh unusual story enrichment. Long before independence, namely, in 1899, a British company discovered that the island of Nauru was practically composed of solid phosphates. Phosphates are widely used for the needs of agriculture for the manufacture of fertilizers, which significantly increase crop yields. Mining began on the island in the early 20th century by a German-British consortium. In general, for more than a century, companies from Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain have been mining from the bowels of the island. The extraction of phosphates was carried out within relatively reasonable limits. But then the island gained independence, and the situation changed dramatically.

After Nauru became independent state, the export of phosphates has increased significantly. Due to such a predatory attitude towards their own land, the Nauruans became in a short time one of the richest people on the planet. Tiny country's imputed per capita income is the highest in the world after Saudi Arabia, and by 1970, the average salary of the islanders was four times higher than the salary of US residents.

As is usually the case, not only the income of the natives of the island has changed, but also their way of life. The people of Nauru stopped going to work and their children stopped going to school. Each family had foreign servants and several expensive cars in the house.

The sedentary lifestyle of local residents turned into a real disaster for them: they began to rapidly gain weight, many of them suffered not only from overweight, but also from diabetes.

And the once flourishing island of Nauru, whose soil layers were ruthlessly cleared by excavators, has become a real ecological dump. The surface of the earth became almost bare rock. The island has become unsuitable for life, as flowers cannot bloom on the rock and new buildings can not be erected.

Already in the 1980s, the government of Nauru was forced to reduce the export of phosphorites. Firstly, they are practically gone, and secondly, they have become much cheaper, as new technologies have replaced phosphate fertilizers and demand has decreased significantly. People so accustomed to living in luxury found themselves on the verge of poverty. Wealth, so unexpectedly appeared, disappeared without a trace.

Financial state of Nauru today

The authorities of Nauru have taken quite interesting and intricate moves to remedy the plight. First, it was decided to bring the soil to the island. But the idea failed because the soil had to be supported by plant roots, and there were none left on the island.

Then Nauru appealed to the International Court of Justice to compensate for the damage from almost a century of phosphate mining on the island by foreign companies. In 1993, Australia offered Nauru 2.5 million Australian dollars as compensation for an out-of-court settlement of the conflict, this money was paid in installments over twenty years. New Zealand and the UK additionally agreed to pay a lump sum settlement of $12 million to each country.

An interesting fact is that even Russia paid compensation to the state of Nauru. True, not for phosphates, but for speculation on diplomatic relations. In 2009, at the request of Russia, Nauru recognized the independence of the new states, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, receiving for this a round sum of $ 50 million from the Russian government as gratitude. But even that is not all, the Russians paid for the reconstruction of the inhabitants of Nauru port, which cost $ 9 million.

Not only Russian government thanked the state of Nauru. In 2002, Nauru, at the request of China, severed diplomatic relations with the state of Taiwan. It cost China $130 million.

In addition, Nauru provided Australia with another unusual service. And, of course, not for free.

In 2001, the container ship Tampa rescued several hundred people trying to escape from a sinking Indonesian ship. These people turned out to be illegal immigrants, refugees from the poor countries of Asia, who tried to escape poverty on Christmas Island in Indian Ocean, which is an Australian federal territory. The Australian Government has asked the Government of Nauru to host these refugees.

As compensation, Australia offered the islanders $20 million, and got rid of unwanted foreigners in this way. These people still live on Nauru in a very bad conditions without medical assistance.

Tourism in Nauru

Nauru has limited tourism activities, although there are excellent conditions for diving and fishing. Every year, an average of 200 tourists visit Nauru, so crowds of tourists are not a problem at all. The shallow water around the island has many picturesque coral reefs. The island has an untouched beautiful lagoon with sand and palm trees.

Nauru is such a small state that it takes less than one hour to drive around the island. The traffic lights on the island are only used to stop traffic and allow the plane to land at the terminal without any problems!

Nauru has a regular bus that runs around the island every hour during the day. Cars and bicycles can be rented.

The official language is local language Pacific islands. But English is widely spoken and widely used.

Nauru uses the Australian dollar as its national currency. Credit cards accepted extremely rarely, since there are no banks and ATMs in Nauru.

How to get to Nauru

All foreign guests are required to enter the island with a valid international passport, thirty days tourist visa and a document confirming the hotel reservation or the presence of a local sponsor. The visa must be obtained before departure at the Nauru embassy.

Now about how to get to Nauru. The airline, the national carrier of Nauru, flies once a week from Brisbane Airport in Australia with a stopover in Honiara in the Solomon Islands. The schedule may change throughout the year.

The sale and use of drugs and narcotic drugs of any kind are severely punished here.

Homosexual contact is illegal in Nauru and can lead to prosecution. Open displays of affection between same-sex partners may offend the people of Nauru.

Cuisine of Nauru

Products Nauru imports from Australia, they are brought by ship, as a rule, once every six to eight weeks.

There are many small food outlets on the island. There is also a Capelle supermarket and an Aiwo pizzeria.

Meat is one of the staple foods on the island, but since Nauru is an island nation, seafood is also very popular.

The most popular in the list of restaurants and bars in Nauru is local restaurant Reinaldo who offers dishes Chinese food. Although there are many other restaurants and bars in Nauru.

Climate

The island of Nauru lies almost on the equator, so the 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. The area of ​​the exclusive economic coastal zone (EEZ) is 308 thousand 480 km?, of which 570 km? belongs to territorial waters.

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

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 types of marine life contain poisonous toxins in their meat, so it is always recommended to consult with local residents 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.

Attractions

In 1888, Nauru, along with other islands in the region, was annexed by Germany, becoming part of the German Marshall Islands. After the defeat of Germany during the First World War, the island became part of the British Mandatory Territories and was transferred to the administration of Australia. In 1942, the island was invaded by the Japanese, who deported approximately half of the population (1200 people) to Truk Island (Caroline Islands) for forced labor, and almost 500 of these settlers died in the camps. After the Second World War, Nauru remained under the control of the Australian administration as a UN Trust Territory, and only in 1968 the country gained full independence, joining the British Commonwealth of Nations on special rights.

Throughout the 20th century, European (primarily British, and then local) companies used the territory of the island only for the extraction of phosphates, which are so necessary for the production of mineral fertilizers. As a result, by the beginning of the new millennium most of The territory of Nauru turned into a "lunar landscape", pitted with dozens of mines and quarries, and the entire population was concentrated in a narrow strip of coastal lowland. As a result, the country can offer the traveler quite a few attractions - a few beaches on secluded coral reefs and atolls of the surrounding waters, as well as the Coral reefs with their sunken ships and aircraft from the Second World War, found in abundance on the local bottom. A pure water and excellent conditions for sport fishing attract fans here active view recreation.

Yaren

small and enough boring city Yaren is located in the area of ​​the same name in the south of the island. Nominally bearing the status of the capital of the island, it is a rather haphazardly scattered settlement, little like a city in general, only containing part of the administrative organizations, as well as the international airport and air terminal of Nauru. Its main attractions usually include the complex of the Houses of Parliament, administration offices and the police station, concentrated on a narrow strip between the airfield runway and the coastline. On the other side of the airfield strip, in the wall of coastal cliffs, there is an entrance to the main local natural attraction - caves and a small underground lake Mokva-Vell. You can also visit two small museums and the remains of Japanese defensive positions from World War II, whose many bunkers and caponiers, left intact after the end of the war, still contain some examples of weapons from that time.

The Center for Arts and Crafts is located in the complex of the National Tourism Office, which contains most of the literally miraculously preserved samples of local handicrafts, stone tools of the indigenous inhabitants of the island, fishing gear and clothing, primarily "ingurig" - traditional skirts made of fibers, obtained from hibiscus leaves. Besides, in National Museum you can see an extensive collection of photographs of the pre-war and post-war years, as well as an exposition of utensils and other historical artifacts.

Aivo

To the northwest, the Aivo (Aiue) region begins - the second metropolitan area, more often bearing the title of "the unofficial capital of Nauru", although in a number of indicators it is much more similar to metropolitan city than Yaren. A higher level of development of this settlement was provided by sea berths and a canal located in this area (the ring of reefs makes it extremely difficult for ocean vessels to approach the coast of the island), so it is not surprising that the entire industrial infrastructure of Nauru is concentrated here. Here you can see the only Aiue Boulevard on the island, the New Port, Chinatown, the chambers of the Nauru Island Council (NIC), the Nauru Phosphate Corporation (NPC) office, the O "dn-Aiwo Hotel, one of two island hotels) and a power plant.

Anibare

In the eastern part of the island is located the area of ​​Anibare, surrounding the bay of the same name. The gentle arc of the Gulf of Anibare (Anibore) includes the best beach in Nauru with excellent conditions for passive recreation by the sea. Swimming here cannot be called absolutely serene - ocean currents near the shores of the bay are quite strong and can be dangerous due to their strength and unpredictability. However, on the shore and near it, Anibare does not differ from any resort area in Oceania, there is even a very good Menen Hotel (the Menen Hotel, the most expensive on the island, lies partly in the Menen area - hence the name), and the nearby reef, especially two channel in it, quite suitable for diving and snorkeling - there are even several sunken ships from the Second World War.

Menen

Lying in the very southeast of the island, the Menen (Meneng) area contains on its territory part of the complex of the hotel of the same name, a communication station, a place of worship for the islanders - the Linkbelt Oval stadium and the State Residence complex (residence of the country's president) burned during the 2001 riots, once considered the most beautiful building on the island.

Buada

The Buada area lies in the southwestern part of the island, around the lagoon of the same name, which is a vestige of the central lagoon common to the coral islands of the region. Once vast and surrounded by a ring of coral reefs, over millions of years it was raised by tectonic processes to a height of 24 meters above sea level, its waters were desalinated, and the reefs turned into the phosphate rocks of the Topside Highlands. Therefore, the lands around the lagoon are very fertile and still serve as the only agricultural region of Nauru, and green ring palm groves and other vegetation is one of the few places on the island where you can hide from the scorching sun in the shade of trees. However, the water of the lagoon is quite dirty and completely unsuitable for swimming.

Topside

The central plateau of Nauru, or Topside, was once a small tropical paradise, covered with dense forest and vast tracts of shrubs. Phosphate deposits hiding under a thin layer of soil have become a real tragedy for this corner of the planet - over a century of incessant development, the plateau was literally torn off the face of the Earth, leaving behind only outer ring cliffs. And its surface turned into a hot wasteland of white rocks dried up by the sun, bizarre turrets of petrified coral and ugly deep pits and quarries. This a prime example of how the mining industry has devastated both Nauru's ecology and its culture, bringing to life a once-pastoral island the phantom of easy wealth and the realities of catastrophic consequences. To get to the plateau, you need to rent a taxi, since this place is usually covered with a dust cloud rising from numerous quarries, which themselves can be quite dangerous - you can simply fall into their abyss-like depths without knowing the terrain.

Over the next few years, the government of Nauru intends to reduce the destructive effect of mining on the plateau, especially since there are almost no phosphates left here. And if they succeed, and the lunar landscape is returned to its original state, this will be a real feat, which both the inhabitants of Nauru and tourists are looking forward to. However, there is little chance of this - in conditions local climate it will take several decades for vegetation to simply establish itself on barren slopes cut by excavator buckets, and full recovery ecosystems will take centuries, which is likely to become an unbearable burden for the poor economy of the island.

Command Ridge is the highest point in Nauru. From here, from the highest point, one can look over the entire island at a glance, as well as inspect the Japanese defensive positions, which have preserved two large coastal defense guns that once fired forty-kilogram shells, a communications bunker and a whole network of trenches and galleries.

Banks and currency

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.

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.

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