1982 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1982 (Wikisource)
Geography
Area
21.2 km2; insignificant arable land, no urban areas, extensive phosphate mines WATER
Coastline
24 km
Limits of territorial waters (claimed)
12 nm (fishing 200 nm; exclusive economic zone 200 nm)
People and Society
Ethnic divisions
58% Nauruans, 26% other Pacific Islanders, 8% Chinese, 8% Europeans
Language
Nauruan, a distinct Pacific Island tongue; English, the language of school instruction, spoken and understood by nearly all
Literacy
nearly universal
Nationality
noun—Nauruan(s); adjective—Nauruan
Population
9,000 (July 1982), average annual growth rate 1.7%
Religion
Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Catholic)
Government
Branches
president elected from and by Parliament for an unfixed term; popularly elected 18-member unicameral legislature, the Parliament; Cabinet to assist the President, four members, appointed by President from Parliament members
Capital
no capital city per se; government offices in Yaren District
Elections
last held in December 1980 Political parties and leaders: governing faction, President DeRoburt; opposition Nauru Party, Lagumot Harris
Government leader
President Hammer DEROBURT
Member of
no present plans to join UN; enjoys "special membership" in Commonwealth; South Pacific Commission, ESCAP, INTERPOL, ITU, UPU
Official name
Republic of Nauru
Political subdivisions
14 districts
Suffrage
universal adult
Type
republic; independent since January 1968
Economy
Agriculture
negligible; almost completely dependent on imports for food, water
Electric power
10,000 kW capacity (1981); 29 million kWh produced (1981), 4,144 kWh per capita
Exports
$50.4 million (f.o.b., 1977)
Fiscal year
1 July-30 June
GNP
over $155.4 million (1977), $21,400 per capita
Imports
$32 million (c.i.f., 1977); 16% food, fuel
Major industries
mining of phosphates, about 2 million tons per year
Major trade partners
exports—75% Australia and New Zealand; imports—Australia, UK, New Zealand, Japan
Monetary conversion rate
1 Australian dollar=US$1.12 (1979)
Communications
Airfields
1 with runways over 1,220-2,439 m
Civil air
3 major transport aircraft, one on order
Highways
about 27 km total; 21 km paved, 6 km improved earth
Inland waterways
none
Ports
1 minor
Railroads
none
Telecommunications
adequate intraisland and international radiocommunications provided via Australian facilities; 1,500 telephones (20.8 per 100 popl.); 3,600 radio receivers, 1 AM, no FM or TV stations; 1 ground satellite station
Military and Security
Military manpower
males 15-49, about 1,800; fit for military service, about 1,000; less than 100 reach military age (18) annually, 1978-82, No formal defense structure and no regular armed forces