NAURU

The Republic of Nauru Message Forum

The Republic of Nauru is 12 miles in circumference and just over eight square miles. Most of the 10,000 population live on the narrow coastal belt.

Aerial view of Nauru

A small isolated Central Pacific island, it lies some 36 miles south of the Equator and is readily accessible by regular services on the island's national carrier, Air Nauru, from major Pacific ports.

The mining of phosphate has been the mainstay of the island's economy since the 1900s, providing the locals with a steady source of income. Phosphate reserves are expected to be exhausted during this decade.

An aerial view of the Nauruan coastline shows the loading of the phosphate into the ship's hold. The phosphate is mined from the  plateau on the upper right of the picture behind the lines of houses. The phosphate was transported to the buildings on the lower right and thence after it is crushed and dried, it was taken by conveyors through the huge cantilevers to the ship, 1960

THE PEOPLE

The indigenous people of Nauru are believed to be of mixed Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian descent, with predominantly Polynesian characteristics. Their native language is Nauruan, though English is used for government and commercial purposes.

HISTORY

Nauru existed as an independent island society until it was annexed by Germany in 1888 as part of the Marshall Islands Protectorate. In 1900 a British company discovered phosphate on the island and negotiated with Germany for mining rights. In November 1914 Nauru was seized by Australian troops and remained in British control until 1921.

At the end of the war, when the German colonies were distributed, a League of Nations Mandate was granted to Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain.

 

Early images of the King and Queen of Nauru and their loyal subjects

Historical images of teachers and pupils of a missionary school, Nauru

The most popular forms of fishing paraphernalia used on the island of Nauru are bows and arrows and spears. This catch of brilliantly coloured fish seems to be a satisfactory one. The tree in the background is a banyan.

In the building of an outrigger canoe, one man is in charge and does most of the work, but timber for the outrigger and platforms must be provided by his assistants. Coconut sennit is used to fasten the timbers together. The woman in the background is holding a roll of pandanus strips used in basket-making and in weaving mats such as the ones in the foreground. The latter constitute the "weather boarding" for native houses.

In 1947 the island was placed under United Nations Trusteeship and Australia resumed administration on behalf of the three partner governments. Nauru became an independent Republic on 31st January 1968.

NATURE

Native sea-birds are plentiful. Vegetation includes pandanus, coconuts, tomano trees and frangipanni. The climate is tropical with temperatures ranging between 24.4 degrees C and 33.9 degrees C, kept temperate by the sea breezes.

THE SIGHTS

Nauru is made up of the raised central plateau surrounded by a fertile coastal fringe. The plateau, known as "topside", is the site of mining and is for the most part made up of limestone pinnacles, a truly unique landscape. In contrast, the coast has lush and verdant vegetation. There are two hotels in Nauru, the recently refurbished Menen Hotel and the OD-N-Aiwo Hotel. Self-drive cars are available for a daily charge, plus a charge per kilometre, and taxis are available. The Menen Hotel operates a courtesy airport service.

FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT

Traditional feasts are popular. The Menen Hotel has two restaurants and a regular barbecue. Reynaldo's offers excellent Chinese cuisine.

ACTIVITIES

Nauruans play a number of sports. Fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling are popular. Nine holes of golf and tennis are available. Tours of the mined area are available through the Menen Hotel.

SHOPPING GUIDE

Menen Hotel boutique has gifts and books. Other stores sell a variety of food and goods. Tobacco and alcohol are duty free. The Nauru Philatelic Bureau offers a range of sought-after Philatelic issues of Nauru.

 

 

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Nauru: A Short History      

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(E-mail: jane@janeresture.com  -- Rev. 30th August 2005)