Nauru

Nauru is a tiny island country in the South Pacific Ocean. It is the third smallest country in the world by area and the smallest island nation. Nauru is only about 8 square miles, roughly the size of a large airport. The island was once very rich from mining phosphate.

Land and People

About 10,000 people live in Nauru. The country does not have an official capital, but the government is located in the Yaren district. The island is oval-shaped and surrounded by a coral reef. The center of the island was mined for phosphate, leaving a rocky, barren landscape.

Culture and Fun Facts

Nauru was once one of the richest countries per person in the world because of its phosphate mines. Phosphate, made from ancient bird droppings, was used to make fertilizer. When the phosphate ran out, the country's wealth dropped sharply. Nauruans enjoy Australian football and weightlifting.

Fun Facts

• Nauru is the smallest island nation in the world at only about 8 square miles.
• Nauru has no official capital city, the only country in the world without one.
• Nauru was once one of the richest countries per person thanks to phosphate mining.

Did You Know?

Nauru's phosphate deposits were made from millions of years of bird droppings that hardened into rock. This phosphate made the tiny island one of the richest places on Earth for a while.