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History
Due to its isolation, Nauru had remained free from European influence for longer than other larger Pacific Islands.
When named by the4 first Europeans to visit Nauru in 1798 as Pleasant Island, Nauru was an island of lush tropical vegetation and
friendly indigenous inhabitants. Early visitors were mainly whalers and then later traders in search of treasures of the Pacific.
In the late 19 century, Germany and Britain expanded their empires causing friction between the two in the Pacific. As a result, the region was divided into two spheres of influence by the imperial powers - Nauru
failing under the German sphere of interest. The berlin Anglo-German Convention that carved this invisible line across the Pacific was to shape Nauru's future with great effect.
Typically for German colonial administration at teh time, a large German trading company, Jaluit Gesellshaft, made
major contributions in financing Germany's occupation of the region and in return received a number of economic
privileges including the right to explore guano deposits in the Marshall Islands and in Nauru. In 1888, these were not rhought to be of
any great value.
In 1900, a British company discovered phosphate on nearby Ocean Island (Banaba) and Nauru - the latter
quite by by acident. The British company persuaded Britain to annex Banaba and negotiated with Jaluit Gesellschaft
for rights to the phosphates
on Nauru.
In 1907, mining began and, apart from the time durig the World War II, has
continued virtually uninterrupted.
Nauru was seized from Germany by Australian troops at the beginning of the First World War and fell under British control.; In
1920 the island became a 'C' Class Mandate under the League of Nations and was
officially administered by Britain, Australia and New Zealand and the
United Kingdom in a partnership similar to that of the 'C' Class
Mandate.
In the 1950's Nauruan became increasingly active on issues of
independence and began to share a greater voice in the administration of the island.
In 1968, the United Nations Trusteeship was terminated and Nauru became an
independent Republic with a Westminister style government established by
the Constitution.
In that same year, Nauru became a Special Member of the Commonwealth and was then
accepted as a Full Member of the Commonwealth in 1999.
International Court of Justice
Nauru's victory against Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in the International Court of Justice in 1993
marks an important point in the history of Nauru.
Nauru's environment had been devastated by more than sixty years of phosphate mining by former colonial powers.
This mining was carried out with no regard for future rehabilitation and on terms that deprived the Nauruan people of
reasonable returns for the sale of its phosphate in world markets.
Following independence, a Commission of Inquiry was established by the Nauru Government to examine the rehabilitation of worked-out phosphate
lands. The inquiry, in 1986, concluded that the island's former administrators - Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom -
were responsible for the rehabilitation of worked out areas of the island mined during the period of the Mandate and
Trust.
After several unsuccessful requests to the Australian Government for financial assistance, Nauru approached the
International Court of Justice with the findings of its Commission of Inquiry to establish a case for compensation against
Australia.
The case aroused much interest and controversy with Nauru receiving vocal support from world wide environmental
groups. A settlement was reached before the substantive hearing took place in the International Court in which
Australia agreed to pay the Republic of Nauru AU 107 million scaled over a period.
For further information about Nauru's ICJ claim against Australia, please visit the media release section of this web site.
People and Culture
The indigenous people of Nauru were of mostly Polynesian and Micronesian descent. Prior to colonization, there existed twelve tribes on the island,
which are now symbolised by the twelve-pointed star on Nauru's national flag.
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National Anthem of NAURU |
Nauru bwiema, ngabena ma auwe.
Ma dedaro bwe dogum, mo otata bet egom.
Atsin ngago bwien okor, ama bagadugu
Epoa ngabuna ri nan orre bet imur.
Ama memag ma nan epodan eredu won engiden,
Miyan aema ngeiyin ouge,
Nauru eko dogin!
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(translation)
Nauru our homeland, the land we dearly love,
We all pray for you and we also praise your name.
Since long ago you have been the home of our great forefathers
And will be for generations yet to come.
We all join in together and say;
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