Chinese
8%, European 8%

Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman
Catholic)

Languages: Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island
language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most
government and commercial purposes

Literacy: NA

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Nauru
conventional short form: Nauru
former: Pleasant Island

Data code: NR

Government type: republic

Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren District

Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan,
Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok,
Uaboe, Yaren

Independence: 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, New Zealand-,
and UK-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968)

Constitution: 29 January 1968

Legal system: acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law

Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 17 June 1998);
note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 17 June 1998);
note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members
of Parliament
elections: president elected by Parliament for a three-year term;
election last held 17 June 1998 (next to be held NA 2001)
election results: Bernard DOWIYOGO elected president; percent of
Parliament vote--NA
note: former President Kinza CLODUMAR was deposed in a no-confidence
vote

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (18 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 8 February 1997 (next to be held NA February
2000)
election results: percent of vote--NA; seats--independents 18

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: loose multi-party system; Nauru

International organization participation: AsDB, C (special),
ESCAP, ICAO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW,
Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US: Nauru does not have an
embassy in the US
consulate(s): Hagatna (Guam)

Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an
embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru