Nauru Facts and Culture

What is Nauru famous for?

• Food and Recipes: Most people live along the 12 mile coastline. In the past the islanders raised their own food, but now, as... More
• Family: All Nauruans belong to a matrilineal group or clan. Each birth and death is publically identified by clan affiliation in... More
• Cultural Attributes: Nauru is an oval-shaped coral island with an area of only eight (8) square miles. About half of Nauru's population... More

What is the capital of Nauru?

Capital	no official capital; government offices in Yaren District
Government Type	parliamentary republic
Currency	Australian Dollar (AUD)
Total Area	8 Square Miles 21 Square Kilometers
Location	Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands
Language	Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes
GDP - real growth rate	8%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$14,800.00 (USD)

What is the population of Nauru?

Ethnic Groups	Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8%
Nationality Adjective	Nauruan
Nationality Noun	Nauruan(s)
Population	11,000
Population Growth Rate	0.58%
Predominant Language	Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes
Urban Population	100%

What type of government does Nauru have?

• Executive Branch: chief of state: President Lionel AINGIMEA (since 27 August 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and... More
• Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory More
• National Holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968) More
• Constitution: effective 29 January 1968; amended 1968, 2009, 2014 More
• Independence: 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship) More

What environmental issues does Nauru have?

• Climate: tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February) More
• Environment - Current Issues: limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater, but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; intensive... More
• Environment - International Agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection,... More
• Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center More

How big is the Nauru economy?

• Economic Overview: Revenues of this tiny island - a coral atoll with a land area of 21 square kilometers - traditionally have... More
• Industries: phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products More
• Currency Name and Code: Australian Dollar (AUD) More
• Export Partners: India 44.4%, South Korea 16.7%, Australia 11.1%, Netherlands 5.6%, New Zealand 5.6%, US 5.6% (2002) More
• Import Partners: Australia 61.3%, US 9.7%, Ireland 6.5%, Malaysia 6.5% (2002) More

What current events are happening in Nauru?
Source: Google News

What unique things can you discover about Nauru?

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

What makes Nauru a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Nauru, a small single-island nation in the South Pacific, is located about 25 miles south of the equator. It is a constitutional republic with a parliamentary system of government. Tourist facilities are available on a limited basis. Yaren, the capital, has an international airport.

Crime

Nauru has a low crime rate, but petty theft can occur almost anywhere. You should always exercise caution for your personal safety or the protection of your valuables when traveling abroad.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency phone numbers in Nauru are as follows:

Service Short code numbers

Police Emergency Service 110

Fire Emergency Service 112

Ambulance Emergency Service 111

Customer Care 123

Directory Inquiries 192

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Nauru, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. Foreigners should carry photo identification with them at all times. Respect any sites that for cultural or security reasons have warnings posted against photography. The country enforces driving under the influence of alcohol laws, and offenders may be taken to jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Nauru, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

There are few health care facilities available in the Republic of Nauru. Medical care for routine problems is adequate, but not up to the standards of industrialized countries. On occasion, basic medications can be difficult to obtain. Emergency response capability is extremely limited. Serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Safety and Security

Nauru has a low crime rate. However, visitors should not be complacent regarding their personal safety or the protection of valuables.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in Nauru, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Nauru is provided for general reference only, and may not be accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Traffic moves on the left in Nauru. The main road circling the island is paved, but the remaining roads are unpaved. There is no organized roadside assistance, although there are a number of mechanics and car repair facilities on the island. Animals and pedestrians walking in the road make night driving hazardous. For specific information concerning Nauru driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Nauru Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia at telephone (613) 9653-5709, or fax (613) 9654-4738.