Nauru is the third-smallest country in the world, a single-island Pacific microstate that was once one of the world's wealthiest per-capita on phosphate mining, but is now mostly mined out.
Geography & landscape
Nauru sits in Micronesia, in the southern hemisphere of Oceania. With an area of approximately 21 km², it is a compact territory, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Yaren (de facto), lies near coordinates -0.55°, 166.92°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Oceania, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Micronesia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Nauru.
People & society
The population of Nauru is around 12K. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Nauru recognises multiple official languages — Nauruan and English — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Nauru is structured as a parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Yaren (de facto), with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Nauru is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Yaren (de facto) and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Nauru shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Nauru through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Yaren (de facto), is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +674, and clocks are set to the NRT (UTC+12) time zone. ISO standards identify Nauru as NR (alpha-2) and NRU (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇳🇷, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Yaren (de facto) | — |
| Continent | Oceania | — |
| Sub-region | Micronesia | — |
| Population | 12K | people |
| Area | 21 | km² |
| Currency | Australian Dollar (AUD) | — |
| Calling code | +674 | international dialling |
| Time zone | NRT (UTC+12) | standard time |
| Government type | Parliamentary republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | NR | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | NRU | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | -0.55 | degrees |
| Longitude | 166.92 | degrees |
Did you know?
Nauru is the only country in the world with no official capital city — government offices are based in the district of Yaren.
