Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography & More The Smallest Country in the World
Feb 3, 2021
Discover how small a country can be while still remaining sovereign. Delve into the unique history of Nauru, its colonial past, and the rise and fall of its economy due to phosphate resources and mismanagement. Learn about the intriguing aspects of life in this tiny nation, including its lack of a capital and local cultural events. Explore the pressing challenges Nauru faces today, from health crises to tourism struggles, and ponder its uncertain future.
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Nauru: Tiny But Sovereign
- Nauru is the smallest self-sustaining country with about 10,670 people and 8.1 square miles of land.
- Its single isolated island location makes its sovereignty unusual among Pacific nations.
Long-Established Island Community
- Humans lived on Nauru for at least 3,000 years with 12 tribes developing distinct societies.
- European contact arrived late in 1798 and sailors nicknamed it Pleasant Island.
Civil War And German Occupation
- Firearms introduced through trade fueled a civil war from 1878 to 1888 that cut the population dramatically.
- Germany formally occupied Nauru in 1886 and ended the fighting when they landed and rounded up chiefs.