Nauru 🇳🇷

Nauru is a country in Micronesia, one of the 7 entries this site files under that subregion. The long form of the name is Republic of Nauru. The capital is Yaren.

Its territory runs to 21 km², which ranks it 244th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Tuvalu and just ahead of Saint Barthélemy. Put next to a country most people can picture, it is around a fifth smaller than Tuvalu.

Some 11,947 people call it home, placing it 228th of 250 by population — between Anguilla above it and Wallis and Futuna below. Within Micronesia alone it is the 7th largest of 7 and the 7th most populous.

Location, borders and position

The coordinates the dataset gives are 0.5° S, 166.9° E, which puts it in the southern hemisphere, roughly 59 km from the equator, in what geographers would call the equatorial belt.

DR Congo, Kenya and Congo sit at almost exactly the same latitude on other parts of the globe.

There is no land frontier at all — every boundary it has is a coastline. That puts it among the 85 entries of 250 here with no land neighbours, which shapes how it trades and who it deals with.

Population and languages of Nauru

Population divided by land area gives roughly 569 people per square kilometre, which makes it densely populated. For comparison, the median entry on this list sits near 90 per square kilometre.

It recognises 2 languages: English and Nauru. Nauru is listed for no other entry in this dataset, which makes it effectively unique to Nauru. English, the first listed, is shared with 90 other entries worldwide.

The demonym is Nauruan, so residents are Nauruans.

Inside Oceania it places 19th of 27 by population, and it accounts for 2.3% of everyone living in Micronesia.

Currency, domain and dialling code

The currency is the Australian dollar ($, AUD). That is a shared currency: 6 other entries use it, including Australia, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Kiribati and Norfolk Island.

Its internet country code is .nr. To phone it from abroad you dial +674. In ISO terms it is nr in two letters and NRU in three.

Yaren is the seat of government and the answer most quizzes are looking for.

As a sovereign state it is among the 193 UN members listed here. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.

Fun facts about Nauru

• Its full official name is Republic of Nauru.
• Population density works out at roughly 569 people per square kilometre.
• It has no land border with any other country — one of 85 such entries in this dataset.
• People from Nauru are known as Nauruans.
• In land area it is around a fifth smaller than Tuvalu.
• Its currency, the Australian dollar, is shared with 6 other entries.
• DR Congo and Kenya sit at almost the same latitude, on the far side of the globe.

Nauru — frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Nauru?

The capital of Nauru is Yaren.

Does Nauru border any other country?

No. Nauru has no land border with any other country, so every route in or out is by sea or air. 85 of the 250 entries on this site are in the same position.

How big is Nauru?

Nauru covers 21 km², ranking 244th of 250 by land area. That makes it around a fifth smaller than Tuvalu.

What is the population of Nauru?

Nauru has a population of about 11,947, which makes it the 228th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Anguilla sits just above it and Wallis and Futuna just below.

What currency does Nauru use?

Nauru uses the Australian dollar, written $ (currency code AUD). It is shared with 6 other entries.

Where is Nauru located?

Nauru is in Micronesia, part of Oceania. Its reference coordinates are 0.5° south and 166.9° east, roughly 59 km from the equator in equatorial latitudes.

What language is spoken in Nauru?

Nauru lists 2 official languages: English and Nauru. Nauru does not appear as an official language anywhere else in this dataset.

Is Nauru a country?

Yes. Nauru is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.