Nauru

Nauru is a small island country in Micronesia, in the South‐West Pacific, surrounded by coral reef. It is the third smallest country in the world and the smallest outside of Europe. It is also recognized as the smallest republic of the world. The highest point of the island (Command Ridge) rises 71 m above the sea level. Only the coastal areas of Nauru are fertile. Nauru is the only country in the world without an official capital. The parliament meets in Yaren.

The climate of Nauru is hot and humid throughout the year, with constant rains and no dry season. Annual average rainfall is about 2 400 mm. On average, there are no months with rainfall below 150 mm, with this figure rising from December to January to 250 mm or more. The monthly average temperature is very stable at 28 °C with daily lows around 24‐25 °C and highs around 30‐31 °C. Nauru is outside of the path of tropical cyclones. -—
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The economy of Nauru is based on phosphate mining and the processing of coconut products. Nauru is also known as a center of offshore banking. In addition, the government gets revenue from the sale of fishing rights. Nauru's GDP is heavily dependent on industry, which accounts for 38 per cent, of which, mining is the dominant activity. Services account for about 60 per cent of GDP with trade, restaurants and hotels contributing over 20 per cent to GDP. Nauru's principal export destinations are Nigeria, Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea and New Zealand. -—
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—- Nauru's GDP per capita is the second highest among the Pacific SIDS with more than US$12 000 in 2019, current prices.

Music and dance are the most popular traditional art forms in Nauru. Handicrafts and clothing, made of coconut trees, are typical. Nauruan cuisine has a strong Chinese influence. Traditional Christmas cakes are made of banana and coconut.

The majority of the population speak English, which is commonly used as the language of administration, even though English is not an official language of Nauru.

The most popular sport in Nauru is Australian football. A traditional sport, specific to Nauru, is catching birds by lassoing them when they return from the sea to the island in the evening.

Nauru is the smallest member nation of the International Olympic Committee and has competed at the Olympic Summer Games since 1996. Weightlifting is the traditional Olympic sport of Nauru.