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Nauru

From Wikitravel

Contents

• Understand
• [+] Get in
  • By plane
• Get around
• Talk
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Learn
• Work
• Stay safe
• Stay healthy
• Respect
• Contact

Nauru[1] is a small island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands and is the world's smallest independent republic. Although other island states may be smaller and/or less populous, they are all dependent territories of other countries.

[edit] Understand

Nauru's phosphate deposits, which occupied about 90% of the island, began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium. During World War I, the island was occupied by Australian forces and became a dependent territory. Nauru achieved independence in 1968. Most of its economy has been based on mining phosphate, which has been exported to Australia and New Zealand for fertiliser. While phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World, these deposits are rapidly running out, and with few other natural resources, Nauru has turned to other methods of raising revenue.

In 2001 the container ship Tampa rescued several hundred "boat people" from a sinking Indonesian vessel attempting to the deliver them to Christmas Island, which is Australian territory. In what is cynically known as The Pacific Solution, Australia hastily established an internment camp for them on Nauru. In exchange for providing this service, Nauru was provided with extra aid by Australia.

The climate is tropical, with a monsoonal rainy season between November and February. Sandy beaches rise to the inhabited fertile ring around raised coral reefs. The central portion of the island is the exposed phosphate plateau.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Nauru has an international airport. However, national carrier Air Nauru has been teetering on the edge of bankruptcy for years and had its last remaining plane impounded in December 2005, however on January 2006, following the arrival of a new aircraft, Our Airline (Air Nauru) re-started services to Nauru

[edit] Get around

A 19km road circles the island. There is no public transport, but you may be able to rent a car or motorcycle by asking around.

[edit] Talk

Nauruan is the official language. It is a distinct Pacific Island language. English is widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes.

[edit] Buy

Nauru accepts the Australian dollar as its trading currency.

[edit] Eat

Food has to be imported because of less agricultural industry. Chinese food is recommended because it may be fresher than Nauruan imported food.

There are numerous small Chinese restaurants dotted around the island, all selling very similar fare. There are two licensed Chinese restaurants near the airport with more comprehensive menus and alcoholic drinks, and you can get international food and drink at the Menen hotel. There is also a fast food kiosk at Capelle's supermarket.

[edit] Drink

The Menen Hotel's Reef Bar is the only public bar in Nauru. It serves Australian beers and international spirits.

[edit] Sleep

There are two tourist institutions: The international class Menen Hotel and the budget Od-N Aiwo Hotel.

[edit] Learn

There is a branch of the University of the South Pacific in Aiwo district, although most lectures are delivered by video.

[edit] Work

[edit] Stay safe

Be extremely cautious bathing at the beaches of Nauru. There are wildlife and ocean current hazards. Take notice of what the locals are doing with regards to what areas are safe.

[edit] Stay healthy

Water supply in Nauru is dependent on roof-top rain collection and a desalination plant. Drinking water is often imported from Australia.

[edit] Respect

[edit] Contact