Nauru explained to kids

Nauru is a small island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. It is just 42 square kilometers in size, making it one of the smallest countries in the world. Despite its small size, Nauru is home to a diverse range of plant and animal life. Nauru was first inhabited by Polynesian settlers around 3,000 years ago. The first European to visit the island was the British explorer John Fearn in 1798. Nauru was annexed by Germany in 1888 and became a German colony. After the First World War, Nauru was occupied by the Australian military and administered as part of the British Empire. Nauru gained independence from Australia in 1968. Since then, the island has been plagued by political instability and economic problems. Today, Nauru is one of the world's poorest countries. The majority of the population lives below the poverty line and unemployment is high. The island's main industry is phosphate mining. Phosphate is a key ingredient in fertilizers and is in high demand worldwide. However, Nauru's phosphate reserves are running out and the island's economy is in decline. Nauru is a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations. It is also a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol.