Naoero

Political Status: Independent republic since January 31, 1968; special membership in the Commonwealth changed to full membership on May 1, 1999.

Area: 8.2 sq. mi. (21.3 sq. km).

Population: 9,378 (2012E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Centers: None; the Domaneab (“meeting place of the people”), which is the site of the Nauru Local Government Council, is located in Uaboe District, while government offices are located in Yaren District.

Official Languages: English, Nauruan.

Monetary Unit: Australian Dollar (market rate November 5, 2012: 0.96 dollar = $1US).

President: Sprent DABWIDO; elected by Parliament on November 15, 2011, following the obligatory resignation of Frederick PITCHER the same day in the wake of a successful nonconfidence motion against him. (Pitcher had been elected on November 10 following the resignation of Marcus STEPHEN.)