Named Pleasant Island by its first European visitors, the former British colony of Nauru is the world's smallest republic.
The tiny Pacific island once generated a per capita income out of proportion to its size. But the source of this wealth - phosphates - is nearing exhaustion, leaving the islanders facing an uncertain future.
While the mining of 1,000 years' worth of fossilised bird droppings has been lucrative, Nauru relies on imports for almost everything - from food and water to fuel.
Barren Nauru has seen its former phosphate wealth dwindleMoreover, recent financial crises have precipitated a slide into bankruptcy and a dependence on aid. The country had to sell off its assets in Australia to pay off a multi-million dollar debt to a US corporation.
Nauru's government has tried to develop alternative industries, including tourism and offshore banking. A world body, set up to fight money-laundering, removed Nauru from its list of uncooperative states in late 2005.
In 2001 Nauru signed an agreement with Australia to accommodate asylum seekers on the island, in return for millions of dollars in aid. However, Australia ended its controversial "Pacific Solution" of detaining asylum seekers on islands in 2008.
Australia has sent financial experts to Nauru to help it overcome its problems.
Full name: Republic of Nauru Population: 10,000 (UN, 2010) Capital: None, administrative centre is Yaren Area: 21 sq km (8 sq miles) Major languages: Nauruan, English Major religion: Christianity Life expectancy: 55 years (men), 57 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 Australian dollar = 100 cents Main export: Phosphates GNI per capita: n/a Internet domain: .nr International dialling code: +674President: Marcus Stephen
Marcus Stephen was sworn in as president in December 2007, after his predecessor, Ludwig Scotty, lost a no-confidence vote in the Pacific island's 18-member single-chamber parliament.
Political disputes have dogged Marcus Stephen's time in officeHowever, parliament remained deadlocked over the budget, with the 18 MPs evenly divided. To resolve the impasse, Mr Stephen declared a state of emergency and dissolved parliament. His government went on to win a majority in snap elections in April 2008.
He was re-elected for a second term by parliament in November 2010, after another protracted phase of political deadlock.
The crisis had started when opposition lawmakers mounted repeated no-confidence motions from February 2010 onwards. Two inconclusive general elections, in April and June, failed to resolve to impasse, both leaving parliament finally balanced, with 9 MPs on each sides.
The government continued to govern under a state of emergency until both sides agreed to form a coalition. Under the deal, former President Ludwig Scotty became speaker of parliament.
Ludwig Scotty: A seasoned player in Nauru's fluid politicsMr Stephen is a former professional weightlifter and multiple Commonwealth Games medallist.
He was elected to parliament in 2003 and served as education and finance minister, but stood down after Mr Scotty was re-elected to the presidency in 2004.
As president, Nauru's constitution stipulates that Mr Stephen will be both head of state and head of government on the island.
Mr Scotty, a seasoned player in Nauru's fluid politics, was ousted once before, in August 2003 and then re-elected less than a year later.
Nauru has no daily news publication.
State-owned Radio Nauru (88.8 FM) carries programming from Radio Australia and the BBC, and Nauru TV carries programmes from Australia and New Zealand as well as local output.
Affordable public internet access is available.
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