The smallest republic in the world: Nauru

Postcard

Nauru  is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just 21 square kilometers. With approximately 10,000 residents, it is the second least-populated country after Vatican City.

Nauru has no armed forces; Australia is responsible for Nauru's defense. Nauru uses the Australian dollar as its official currency.  

Nauru is a phosphate rock island with rich deposits near the surface, which allow easy strip mining operations. This tiny island generated enormous wealth from phosphates. In the 1980s, it had one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, but the phosphates are now close to exhaustion .

Stamp

It is a postage prepaid postcard, picturing Nauru’s coat of arms. In the upper section of the shield the alchemical symbol of phosphorus is shown.