Nauru

Nauru is one of the smallest island states in the world, with a total land area of only about 21 km², located in the central Pacific Ocean. The island is of raised coral limestone origin and is surrounded by a narrow coastal plain, while its interior plateau was historically dominated by phosphate deposits. The tropical climate features consistently warm temperatures and annual rainfall averaging around 2,000 mm, although variability and periodic droughts significantly affect land productivity.

Human settlement dates back over 3,000 years, but Nauru’s modern economic structure was shaped by phosphate mining during the 20th century under German, British, Australian and later independent administration following independence in 1968. The intensive extraction of phosphate transformed much of the island’s interior into a heavily degraded landscape, leaving limited fertile land available for agriculture.

Agriculture is therefore extremely restricted and largely subsistence-based, as only a small portion of the coastal belt is suitable for cultivation. Coconut palms are the dominant crop and support small-scale copra production, which typically ranges between 500 and 1,000 tonnes annually. Other crops such as pandanus, bananas and root crops are grown on a limited scale for domestic consumption. Livestock production is minimal and generally confined to small numbers of pigs and poultry.

Forests in the conventional sense are absent due to the island’s small size and environmental degradation from past mining activities. Vegetation consists mainly of coconut groves and coastal shrubs, and forestry does not constitute an independent economic sector.

Marine resources are consequently of greater importance. Nauru possesses an Exclusive Economic Zone of about 320,000 km², which supports offshore tuna fisheries. Domestic fish production is relatively small, generally estimated at around 2,000–3,000 tonnes annually, combining coastal subsistence fishing and small-scale commercial activity. A substantial share of national revenue related to fisheries derives from licensing agreements with foreign fishing fleets operating within Nauru’s waters.

Aquaculture is still limited but includes experimental projects such as milkfish farming in coastal ponds. Overall, Nauru’s primary sector reflects the severe environmental constraints of a small, resource-depleted island, with minimal agricultural and forestry potential and a strong reliance on marine resources for food security and economic diversification.

A very small country in the middle of nowhere. Gerold and Klaudia landed there twice on the 2018 on their Pacific voyage. Since they had a visa, once briefly entered. But they only stayed there for a few hours.