Geography of Nauru

Nauru

map of the island of Nauru
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Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	0°32′S 166°55′E / 0.533°S 166.917°E / -0.533; 166.917
Area	21 km2 (8.1 sq mi)
Highest elevation	65 m (213 ft)
Highest point	Command Ridge
Administration
Nauru
Largest settlement	Denigomodu (pop. 1,800)
Demographics
Population	10,058 (2011)
Pop. density	441.67/km2 (1143.92/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Nauruan people

Nauru is a tiny phosphate rock island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean south of the Marshall Islands in Oceania. It is only 53 kilometres (33 mi) south of the Equator at coordinates 0°32′S 166°55′E / 0.533°S 166.917°E / -0.533; 166.917. Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean—the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia, and it is only country of the world that consisted from only one island on the sea or ocean.

Its land area is 21 km² (8.1 sq mi), and it has a 30-kilometre coastline (19 mi). Maritime claims are an Exclusive Economic Zone of 308,480 km² (119,100 sq mi) with 200-nautical-miles (370 km), and a 12-nautical-mile (22 km) territorial sea.

The climate is tropical with a monsoon rainy season from November to February.

A sandy beach rises to the fertile ring around raised fringing coral reefs.^[1] The raised phosphate plateau ('Topside') takes up the central portion of the island. The highest point is 213 ft (65 m) above sea level, along the plateau rim.

Nauru's only economically significant natural resources are phosphates, formed from guano deposits by seabirds, and fisheries,^[2] particularly for tuna.

Due to being surrounded by corals and sandy beaches, the island houses no natural harbours, nor any rivers or substantial lakes.

Nauru has a unique navigational system, which is only capable of being used on the island.