Editing Nauru (section)

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Nauru|Geology of Nauru}}
[[File:Nauru-map.gif|thumb|left|Map of Nauru]]

Nauru is a {{cvt|21|km2|adj=on}},<ref name="CIA" /> oval-shaped island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The island is surrounded by a [[fringing coral reef]], which is exposed at low tide and dotted with [[pinnacle]]s.<ref name=state/> The presence of the [[reef]] has prevented the establishment of a [[port|seaport]], although [[canals in Nauru|channels]] in the reef allow small boats access to the island.<ref>{{cite web |page=234 |url=http://www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Countries/Nauru/11.pdf |last1=Thaman|first1= RR |last2=Hassall|first2= DC |publisher=South Pacific Regional Environment Programme |title=Nauru: National Environmental Management Strategy and National Environmental Action Plan |accessdate=18 June 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511023524/http://www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Countries/Nauru/11.pdf |archivedate=11 May 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> A fertile coastal strip {{cvt|150|to|300|m}} wide lies inland from the beach.<ref name=state/>
[[File:Coral reef on Nauru.jpg|thumb|Coastal beach area of Nauru, with its distinctive natural coral pillars]]
[[File:NauruBuada077.jpg|thumb|Buada Lagoon]]
Coral cliffs surround Nauru's central plateau. The highest point of the plateau, called the [[Command Ridge]], is {{cvt|71|m}} above sea level.<ref>{{cite book |title=Geology and hydrogeology of carbonate islands |year=1997 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=978-0-444-81520-0 |editor1=Vacher, H Leonard |editor2=Quinn, Terrence M |chapter=24: Geology and Hydrogeology of Nauru Island |author1=Jacobson, Gerry |author2=Hill, Peter J |author3=Ghassemi, Fereidoun |page=716}}</ref>

The only fertile areas on Nauru are on the narrow coastal belt, where [[coconut]] palms flourish. The land around [[Buada Lagoon]] supports [[banana]]s, [[pineapple]]s, [[vegetable]]s, [[pandanus tectorius|pandanus trees]], and indigenous [[hardwood]]s, such as the [[calophyllum inophyllum|tamanu tree]].<ref name=state/>

Nauru was one of three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean, along with [[Banaba|Banaba (Ocean Island)]], in Kiribati, and [[Makatea]], in [[French Polynesia]]. The phosphate reserves on Nauru are now almost entirely depleted. Phosphate mining in the central plateau has left a barren terrain of jagged limestone pinnacles up to {{cvt|15|m}} high. Mining has stripped and devastated about 80 per cent of Nauru's land area, leaving it uninhabitable<ref name="KN-20180916" /> and has also affected the surrounding [[exclusive economic zone]]; 40% of marine life is estimated to have been killed by [[silt]] and phosphate runoff.<ref name="state"/><ref name="UNCCC">{{cite web |author= |year=1999 |url=http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/naunc1.pdf |title=Climate Change&nbsp;– Response |work=First National Communication |publisher=United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change |accessdate=9 September 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806210630/http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/naunc1.pdf |archivedate=6 August 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The island has no rivers,<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |last=Dickinson |first=Greg |last2=Smith |first2=Oliver |date=7 March 2022 |title=12 facts about Nauru, the tiny island without a single Covid case |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/oceania/12-facts-nauru-tiny-island-without-single-covid-case/ |accessdate=3 August 2024 |work=The Telegraph}}</ref> and there is no inflow or outflow from the Buada Lagoon; it is an [[endorheic basin]].

=== Climate ===
Nauru's climate is hot and very humid year-round because of its proximity to the equator and the ocean. Nauru is hit by [[monsoon]] rains between November and February. Annual rainfall is highly variable and is influenced by the [[El Niño–Southern Oscillation]], with several significant recorded droughts.<ref name= "UNCCD"/><ref>{{cite book |title=Affaire de certaines terres à phosphates à Nauru |year=2003 |publisher=International Court of Justice |isbn=978-92-1-070936-1 |pages=107–109}}</ref> The temperature on Nauru ranges between {{cvt|30|and|35|C}} during the day and is quite stable at around {{cvt|25|C}} at night.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cawcr.gov.au/projects/PCCSP/pdf/6._Nauru_GH_poster.pdf |title=Pacific Climate Change Science Program |accessdate=10 June 2012 |publisher=Government of Australia |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227175200/http://www.cawcr.gov.au/projects/PCCSP/pdf/6._Nauru_GH_poster.pdf |archivedate=27 February 2012}}</ref>

Streams and rivers do not exist in Nauru. Water is gathered from roof catchment systems or brought to Nauru as ballast on ships returning for loads of phosphate.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Yaren |title=Yaren {{!}} district, Nauru |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en |accessdate=2 September 2019 |archive-date=8 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908204235/https://www.britannica.com/place/Yaren |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Ecology ===
{{See also|Eastern Micronesia tropical moist forests|List of mammals of Nauru|List of birds of Nauru}}
[[File:Aerial view of Nauru.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial view of Nauru]]

Fauna is sparse on the island because of a lack of vegetation and the consequences of phosphate mining. Many [[List of birds of Nauru|indigenous birds]] have disappeared or become rare owing to the destruction of their habitat.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.int/nauru/countryprofile.html |title=NAURU Information on Government, People, History, Economy, Environment, Development |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727070348/http://www.un.int/nauru/countryprofile.html |archivedate=27 July 2013|publisher=United Nations}}</ref> There are about 60&nbsp;recorded [[vascular plant]] species native to the island, none of which are [[Endemism|endemic]]. Coconut farming, mining, and introduced species have seriously disturbed the native vegetation.<ref name="UNCCD" />

There are no native land [[mammal]]s, but there are native [[insect]]s, [[Terrestrial crab|land crabs]], and [[bird]]s, including the endemic [[Nauru reed warbler]]. The [[Polynesian rat]], cats, dogs, pigs, and chickens have been [[History of navigation|introduced to Nauru from ships]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Birdlife-Pacific/Important%20Bird%20Area%20Coverage%20by%20Country.htm |accessdate=18 June 2012 |agency=BirdLife International |title=Important Bird Areas in Nauru |publisher=Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130113065145/http://www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Birdlife-Pacific/Important%20Bird%20Area%20Coverage%20by%20Country.htm |archivedate=13 January 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>