The World's Smallest Republic

The world's smallest republic is a shimmering pearl in the Pacific Ocean, known as Nauru.

With an area of only 21 square kilometers, or around 8.1 square miles, Nauru is the third smallest country in the world, after Vatican City and Monaco.

But unlike those countries, Nauru is a fully-fledged sovereign state and a member of the United Nations.

This island nation was once known as 'Pleasant Island' due to its lush green surroundings and beautiful landscapes.

Today, you will find only about 10,000 Nauruans residing on this tiny speck of land.

In the past, Nauru's economy was heavily dependent on phosphate mining, which was in fact derived from bird droppings.

That may sound amusing, but the phosphate deposits brought a tremendous amount of wealth to Nauru.

However, the resources have largely been depleted, making the country face significant economic and environmental challenges.

Despite these issues, Nauru remains a fascinating place due to its unique characteristics and history..