Nauru

Nauru officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, 300 kilometres  to the east. With 9,378 residents in a 21-square-kilometre area, Nauru is the smallest state in the South Pacific and second smallest state by population in the world, behind only the Vatican City.

Settled by Micronesian and Polynesian people, Nauru was annexed and claimed as a colony by the German Empire in the late 19th century. After World War I, Nauru became a League of Nations mandate administered by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. During World War II, Nauru was occupied by Japanese troops, who were bypassed by the Allied advance across the Pacific. After the war ended, the country entered into trusteeship again. Nauru gained its independence in 1968.

 (Soure:Wikipedia)

Special thanks to William, a Taiwanese volunteer who was posted to Nauru, for this 

rarity from the South Pacific.

Received: 14 February 2013