1986 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1986 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Agriculture
negligible; almost completely dependent on imports for food and water
Airfields
1 usable with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m
Area
20.7 km2; less than one-eighth the size of Washington, D. C.; insignificant arable land, no urban areas Water
Branches
President elected from and by Parliament for an unfixed term; popularly elected 18-member unicameral legislature (Parliament); four-member Cabinet to assist the President appointed by him from Parliament members
Capital
no capital city per se; government offices in Yaren District
Civil air
3 major transport aircraft, one on order
CNP
over $160 million (1984), $20,000 per capita
Coastline
24 km People
Elections
last held in December 1983 Political parties and leaders: governing faction, President DeRoburt; opposition Nauru Party, Lagumot Harris
Electric power
13,250 kW capacity (1985); 48 million kWh produced (1985), 6,000 kWh per capita
Ethnic divisions
58% Nauruan, 26% other Pacific Islander, 8% Chinese, 8% European
Exports
$93 million (f.o.b., 1984)
Fiscal year
1 July-30June Communications
Government leader
Hammer DEROBURT, President (since May 1978)
Highways
about 27 km total; 21 km paved, 6 km improved earth
Imports
$11 million (c.i.f., 1979); food, fuel, water
Inland waterways
none
Language
Nauruan, a distinct Pacific Island language (official); English widely understood and spoken
Limits of territorial waters (claimed)
12 nm (200 nm exclusive economic zone)
Literacy
99% Government
Major industries
mining of phosphates, about 2 million tons per year
Major trade partners
exports — 75% Australia and New Zealand; imports — Australia, UK, New Zealand, Japan
Member of
Commonwealth (special member), ESCAP, ICAO, INTERPOL, ITU, South Pacific Commission, SPF, UPU Economy
Military manpower
males 15-49, about 1,800; fit for military service, about 1,000; about 100 reach military age (18) annually
Monetary conversion rate
1.0778 Australian dollars=US$l (February 1984)
National holidays
Independence Day, 31 January; Constitution Day, 17 May; Angram Day, 26 October
Nationality
noun — Nauruan(s); adjective — Nauruan
Natural resources
phosphates
Official name
Republic of Nauru
Political subdivisions
14 districts
Population
8,000 (July 1986), average annual growth rate 1.3%
Ports
1 minor
Railroads
none
Religion
Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Catholic)
Suffrage
universal adult
Telecommunications
adequate intraisland and international radio communications 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 Defense Forces No formal defense structure and no regular armed forces
Type
republic