Random Country! Nauru, or Naur-who?

By Brian Englesma

Today I’d like to talk to you about a nation that I find particularly random: Nauru. Located in the South Pacific, Nauru is the island nation home to 14,000 lucky souls. Situasharted in the vast swath that is the Pacific Ocean, Nauru has long been regarded as a mysterious, strange nation.

Nauru is world known as the smallest island nation, having a size of only 8.1 square miles. Officially a Republic, Nauru also has the distinction of being the smallest Republic in the world. Finally, Nauru has the distinct honor of being the only Republican government in the world without an official state capitol. These may seem like interesting things now, but in the grand scheme of things if this is what get the brave people of Nauru excited about their country, can they really have much going for them?

The proud President of Nauru is Marcus Stephen, a former island celebrity. President Stephen earned his strong reputation as a weightlifter, winning seven gold medals and five silver medals at the Commonwealth Games. Nauru is unique among democracies in that it has no political parties, rather most candidates run as independents. Alliances and coalitions are often formed based on family lines and connections.

Major ethnic groups in Nauru include Nauruan and Other Pacific Islander. The island is largely Christian and officially has freedom of religion, although some Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses have encountered difficulties.

Statistically Nauru is considered the most obese nation in the world, a full 90% of adults have a BMI higher than the worldwide average. Furthermore, more than 40% of the nation suffers from type two diabetes.

The economy of Nauru has historically been supported by phosphate mining, which it has had extensive supplies of. In recent years, however, the nation’s phosphorous supplies have been dwindling, forcing the nation to take up new sources of economic activity. Unemployment sits at roughly 90% of the population, and of those that are employed, 95% are employed by the government. Per capita GDP has fallen from its peak in the early 1980’s, when it had the second highest in the world, to just $2,038 today.

To the Nauruan government’s credit they have attempted to diversify their economy in recent years, including forays into selling passports, money laundering, and its attempt to become a tax haven. In 2001 the government was able to garner much needed revenue by allowing Australia to place detainees in a facility on the island.

Nauru’s first contact with humans came roughly three thousand years ago. Traditionally society in Nauru is based around the twelve clans, which have existed throughout much of the islands recorded history. In 1798 whaler John Fearn was the first westerner to spot the island, and he quickly named it Pleasant Island, a name that didn’t stick. Ever since then Nauruans have been trading food to British whalers for alcohol and firearms.

In 1888 ze Germanz came to the island and made it the newest member of the German colonial empire. Nauru labored under the ruthless reign of German occupation for nearly three decades before being liberated in World War One. Following World War One, Nauru was placed in a trusteeship under Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. During World War Two Nauru once again fell in the hands of a brutal dictatorship, this time a Japanese one. Following World War Two the island was once again placed under Australian, New Zealander and British control.

Nauru, with its wacky government and zany population it’s no small wonder why it’s a random nation.