Located in the northeast of Australia and with a population of 10 thousand people, Nauru is one of the smallest countries in the world after the Vatican and Monaco. This small island nation is known for its high obesity rates, unemployment and high smoking rates, as well as being one of the least visited places in the world. These problems stand out as one of the interesting features of Nauru. However, despite its small size, this country has unique cultural riches and the natural beauties of the island are remarkable.
Although tourism may be Nauru’s main source of income, this country has never been a popular choice for tourists due to transportation difficulties and the availability of other holiday alternatives. There are only 2 hotels in the country, one of which is state owned. tourism is weak is an indication that it is. However, nature has presented Nauru with a different treasure. For centuries, phosphate deposits consisting of seabird feces have been the country’s largest source of income.
It is located in the Central Pacific and has a rich surface. phosphate Nauru, which stands out with its resources, has made a name for itself with open pit mining in the past. However, this wealth caused serious damage to the island ecosystem and “resource curseIt has brought about a situation called “. With the depletion of phosphate reserves, Nauru entered a period in which it experienced economic difficulties and tried to generate income through different methods. In this process, becoming a tax haven And money laundering It followed temporary strategies such as activities.
General Information About the Republic of Nauru
Nauru is located in the Central Pacific micronesia island and its official name is the Republic of Nauru. Formerly known as Pleasant Island. This island nation is its closest neighbor with Kiribati’s Banaba Island, located 300 kilometers to the east. northwest of Tuvalu, 1300 kilometers northeast of the Solomon Islands, east-northeast of Papua New Guinea, southeast of the Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall IslandsIt is located in the south of .
With a surface area of only 21 km², Nauru holds the title of the third smallest country, smallest republic and smallest island country in the world, after the Vatican and Monaco. According to the 2011 census, it is after the Vatican with a population of 10,084. has the lowest population is the country. The name “Nauru” means “Nauru” in Nauruan language.I’m going to the beachIt is thought that it may be derived from the word “Anáoero” meaning “.
Rising like statues along Nauru’s coastline, coral rock formations reach heights of up to 5 meters, or 16 feet, above sea level. under the sea dead coral rocks While it covers the ocean floor, it makes it impossible for large ships to dock approximately 200 meters away from the shore. Since most of these rocks are underwater, they can only be seen at low tide. This allows people to walk hundreds of meters on water and fish.
Nauru was first discovered at least 3,000 years ago micronesians It was settled by and Polynesia There are signs of its effects. Information about the prehistory of Nauru is quite limited; However, it is thought that the island went through a long period of isolation and this caused the development of a different language.
existed on Nauru in the past 12 clans or tribesToday, it is represented by the twelve-pointed star on the country’s flag. Nauruans traditionally traced their maternal lineage. The islanders were engaged in aquaculture; They would especially catch baby milkfish, accustom them to fresh water and raise them in the Buada Lagoon. Local foods such as coconut and pandanus fruit also had an important place in local diets.
The island was annexed by the German Empire towards the end of the 19th century and was given the status of a colony. After World War I, Nauru was administered as a League of Nations Mandate by Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. During the Second World War, Nauru was occupied by Japanese troops. With the end of the war, the country came under the tutelage of the United Nations. Nauru declared independence in 1968 and became a member of the Pacific Community in 1969.
Use as a Tax Haven and Money Laundering Center
Nauru, phosphate sources Since it is an islet rich in minerals, open pit mining has been carried out for years. However, these activities have caused serious damage to the island ecosystem and are oftenresource curse or “abundance paradoxIt caused a situation called “. By the 1990s, phosphate reserves were depleted and what remained was not economically viable for extraction. This has led to Nauru temporarily turning into a tax haven and illegal money laundering center to generate revenue.
Since 2001, Australia has used it for purposes such as deporting immigrants. detention center It received assistance from the Australian Government in return for operating the Nauru Regional Processing Centre. This situation increased Nauru’s dependence on Australia, and some sources defined Nauru as a dependent state of Australia. The country is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.
Nauru’s economy, especially in the early 1980s, developed based on guano reserves from seabird droppings. These reserves were rich in phosphate and potassium, and the country’s economy was based on these resources. Small-scale mining is still carried out by RONPhos, now known as the Nauru Phosphate Company.
With the effects of global warming, scientists predict that sea levels on Nauru may rise within this century, threatening habitats. This situation poses a real concern and a serious threat to the country. Such natural disasters can pose a much greater risk and have serious impacts for countries located in coastal areas, such as small island countries.
How Nauru Became One of the Most Obese Countries in the World
People don’t seem to prefer working on Nauru. Because for years, people were brought from the surrounding islands to work in phosphate mines, and this caused the unemployment rate in the country to rise to almost 90 percent.
As phosphate reserves decreased over time, the Nauruan administration used its accumulated money to purchase land and buildings in Australia and the USA. Their future economic plans are based on rental income from these properties and provide a solution to the economic difficulties caused by declining mines. At the same time, studies have been carried out regarding its use as a money laundering center.
However, the exploitation of phosphate mines has caused serious damage to agricultural areas and fisheries, which has reduced the public’s consumption of fish and vegetables. This, combined with the introduction of fast-food style nutrition and the decrease in physical activity, has made Nauru one of the most obese countries in the world. Additionally, Nauruans are dependent on highly processed canned food from abroad. By World Obesity Federation most obese country in the world It is known as.
Today, almost 95 percent of the country is overweight and 80 percent is beyond obesity limits. This has caused a large portion of the adult population to become diabetic. Moreover, in addition to unemployment and obesity, Nauruans are highest cigarette consumption It has a rate of .
The healthiest and fittest people in the country are in the police force. This has resulted in Nauru’s life expectancy being 65 years compared to other countries in similar regions, which has placed it at the bottom of the world rankings. The President of the Republic of Nauru stands out as one of the country’s rare long-living people.
