News: The remote Pacific nation Nauru is selling passports to fund climate action has approved but received just six applicants since early this year.
Key Facts about Nauru
- Location: It is a tiny island located in north-east of Australia, 42 km south of the equator.
- It lies within the Micronesia sub-region of Oceania, with its nearest neighbour being Banaba (part of Kiribati) about 300 km to the east.
- It was formerly known as Pleasant Island.
- Reef system: A coral reef surrounds the entire island which is dotted with pinnacles. Hence, there no specific port located at the coast of the country.
- Geology: It is a phosphate-rock island with rich deposits near the surface.
- Highest point: The Command Ridge is the highest point at 71 m above sea level.
- Climate: Its climate is hot and very humid year-round because of its proximity to the equator and the ocean.
- Smallest island country: It is the third-smallest country in the world, after Vatican City and Monaco, with an area of only 21 sq. km.
- So, it is the smallest island nation in the world.
- International co-operation: It is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.
- Governance system: It is a republic with a parliamentary system of government.
- The president is both head of state and head of government and is dependent on parliamentary confidence to remain president.
- Water source: The Buada Lagoon, located inland, is a rare freshwater resource but is an endorheic basin (not connected to the sea).
