Nauru, the world’s third smallest country by land area, is a remote island nation in the central Pacific Ocean. Covering just 21 square kilometers (8.1 square miles), this tiny oval-shaped island is located roughly 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) northeast of Australia. With a population of around 10,000 people, Nauru is one of the least populated sovereign states globally. The island’s inhabitants are predominantly of Micronesian origin, and Nauruan is the official language, with English also widely spoken for government and commercial purposes.

Historically, Nauru was settled by Micronesian and Polynesian people around 3,000 years ago. European contact began in 1798 when British captain John Fearn spotted the island, dubbing it "Pleasant Island" due to its lush vegetation and seemingly idyllic environment... Read More