One of the smallest countries in the world, Nauru consists of one atoll with a surrounding reef which is exposed at low tide, just 12 miles in circumference and just over 8 square miles. Most of the 10,000 population live on the narrow coastal belt. The once phosphate rich country which is the world's smallest republic has diving and fishing to entice visitors. Unfortunately, the phosphate reserves are running low so the future is increasingly uncertain and it may be the case that all is left are the mining pits, which certainly do not make the island a scenic place.
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.
