Reading Street Sleuth

Unit 1

The Worlds Smallest Island Nation

How would things be different if your entire country were only a
third of the size of Manhattan in New York City or a tenth of the size of
Washington, D.C.? The Republic of Nauru (nah-OO-roo) is just thata
mere 8.1 square miles! Located a little south of the Equator in the southern
Pacific Ocean, Nauru is the worlds smallest island nation. About 14,000
people live there.
Despite enjoying warm temperatures and gorgeous sandy beaches, the
residents of Nauru face serious challenges. For example, the central 80
percent of the island is uninhabitable. Nauruans (nah-OO-roo-inz) crowd
together on a narrow strip of land that rings the shoreline.

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What happened to the land in the center? For a century, phosphate

mining brought in money for the small country and helped it prosper.
However, it also devastated the environment. According to the president of
Nauru, mining cleared the lush tropical rainforest that once covered our
islands interior, scarring the land.
Another issue is the lack of fresh waterthe kind needed for drinking.
The houses in Nauru have roof storage tanks to collect rainwater, though
most people rely on a desalination plant. The facility removes salt from
the ocean water to make it drinkable. However, the plant is old and is the
only one on the island.
Decreased mining and scarce natural resources have left Nauruans
with serious social and economic problems. The standard of living has
plunged. Finding a job can be difficult. Some estimate the unemployment
rate at a whopping 90 percent. Those who do have jobs work mainly for
the government or in mines. Others raise coconuts or fish to support their
families. Little fertile land remains.
Importing food and other necessities is difficult. Nauru depends heavily on
foreign aid. The steep coral reef that surrounds the island makes it impossible
to establish a sea port. Nauru is more than 185 miles from its nearest neighbor,
Ocean Island. With only one main road and one airport, travel on the island
can be difficult.
In addition, opportunities for education and health care are limited.
The average person goes to school for only nine years. Residents also have
limited access to television and radio. Both are government-run. The
population has a high obesity rate, and few medical facilities exist.
Nauruans face terrible challenges. They dont want to give up their
little nation, so it will take a great deal of time, education, determination,
and aid to make life better.
Unit 1 The Worlds Smallest Island Nation

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