Nauru is a tiny island north-east of Australia. It is situated 42 kilometres south of the equator.  A coral reef surrounds the entire island which is dotted with pinnacles.

The people of Nauru are comprised of 12 tribes, as symbolized by the 12-pointed star on the Nauru flag and are believed to be a mixture of Micronesian, Polynesian and Melanesian descent.  Their native language is Nauruan but English is widely spoken as it is used for government and commercial purposes.