n
Key Points
nPosted on May 17, 2017
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nRecently, we discussed the small nation (small in land area and population – it’s not small in “scattered over the surface of the Earth” measurements!) of the Federated States of Micronesia, which celebrated its Constitution Day.
n
n
n
n
Well, not all of the islands of Micronesia are gathered into that nation. Some examples of other Micronesian nations are Palau and Kiribati and today’s constitution-celebrant, Nauru.
Well, not all of the islands of Micronesia are gathered into that nation. Some examples of other Micronesian nations are Palau and Kiribati and today’s constitution-celebrant, Nauru.n
n
n
nThis island nation is waaayy small. It’s just one island, with about 21 square km (8 square miles) in area. The island is surrounded by a coral reef – so much so that there is no good seaport on the island. (There are a few breaks in the reef that allow small boats to approach the island.)
n
n
n
nNauru is a phosphate rock island. Phosphate is useful in fertilizers and to make supplements in animal feed; phosphorous is also used in certain chemical industries. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, with the strip-mining of phosphates going full-tilt, Nauru was the wealthiest nation, per person, in the world.
n
n
n
n
n
 |
| Old cantilevers are rusting in the ocean surrounding Nauru, part of the phosphate mining-and-export operations of the past. |
n
nBut now most of Nauru’s phosphates are gone. The wealth is mostly gone, too.
n
n
n
nAnd the ugly mining operations devastated 80% of the land and killed off about 40% of the marine life!
n
n
n
n
n
n
In its need for some source of income, Nauru has become a tax haven and money-laundering center. Also, Nauru has accepted money from the Australian government to host refugees and asylum-seekers in the Nauru Regional Processing Center. I am sad to report that the conditions there are horrific, and there have been riots, hunger-strikes, and human rights violations.
In its need for some source of income, Nauru has become a tax haven and money-laundering center. Also, Nauru has accepted money from the Australian government to host refugees and asylum-seekers in the Nauru Regional Processing Center. I am sad to report that the conditions there are horrific, and there have been riots, hunger-strikes, and human rights violations. n
n
n
 |
| The pinnacles in the water make for an unusual and quite lovely beach…but it makes ENJOYING the beach and ocean unsafe. |
n
n
n
n
 |
| During World War II, Japan took over Nauru, and there is still wreckage left from the war. Here you see artillery that was used to shoot down Allied airplanes. |
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nAlso on this date:
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nConstitution Day in Norway
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nPirate Barti Ddu’s birthday
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nAnniversary of the discovery of Jupiter’s belts
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nGalician Literature Day
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nAuthor Anna Brownell Jameson’s birthday
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
nPlan ahead:
n
n
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
n
- n
-
nMay holidays
n
-
nMay birthdays
n
-
nHistorical anniversaries in May
n
n
n
n
n
nAnd here are my Pinterest boards for:
n
- n
-
nJune holidays
n
-
nJune birthdays
n
-
nHistorical anniversaries in June
n
n
n
n
n
n
