Jakarta –
Many count one country must have a wide area both land and sea. Whereas in this world, there are a number of countries that have a very small area, you know.
With more than 194 countries in the world and the majority of countries having large land areas, in fact there are some countries that are very small. Even quite small compared to cities in other countries.
Call it the Republic of Nauru, an island nation in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean. Even so small this country does not have a capital city.
Nauru is located just 25 miles south of the equator, the country is an uplifted atoll in the southwest Pacific Ocean. Its area is only about 12 square miles (21 sq km) and has a population of about 12,000 to 13,000 people.
But make no mistake, even though it is small, this country was once the richest country in the world. Small pieces of cayenne pepper, maybe that’s the right expression to pin on Nauru. In the 1970s Nauru was a wealthy nation benefiting from its phosphate reserves. Phosphate deposits were found throughout Nauru at that time.
These minerals are a key component of the fertilizer industry, which greatly helps the country’s economy. Even in 1975, Nauru had an income of around US$ 2.5 billion.
Thanks to that, the government and the people of Nauru had a chance to live a luxurious life and were too extravagant with their budget. Because of its wealth, Nauru does not impose taxes on its inhabitants. The cost of housing provided by the government is only US$ 5 a month.
Nauru also provides all health services for free. If there are residents who need special medical treatment, the Nauru government will fly them to Australia. High achieving students will also be funded to study in Australia.
Phosphate mines run by the government beg for mercy. Because of its extent, residential areas are increasingly being pushed aside because of the mine. The open mining area makes the land into holes to form sharp serrations.
As a result of mining on a large scale, Nauru must feel the effects of the oven. This oven effect led to a prolonged drought on Nauru.
The government of Nauru is racking its brains to generate revenue that has stopped from phosphate mining. In 1992, Nauru invested, but was conned and lost up to US$ 30 million.
A year after the investment scam, one of the financial advisers from the previous government offered a show investment. The former adviser is on the crew of a British pop band.
The former adviser convinced the government to finance a musical called Leonardo the Musical: A Portrait of Love.
The show debuted in London in June 1993. However, the show was criticized for being long-winded and boring. In fact, the audience went home before the show was over.
Scheduled shows were also canceled a few weeks later. Unfortunately, profits cannot be denied. Nauru had to lose around US$ 7 million in this investment.
It’s like falling down a ladder, Nauru is again hit by bad luck. Another financial adviser was caught embezzling about US$ 60 million. Now Nauru is very dependent on aid from other countries. As a neighboring country, Australia makes good use of it.
Now, Nauru is one of the refugee shelters before entering Australia. From that assignment, Nauru has earned around US$10 million in revenue over the last few years.
This, Nauru being one of the poorest countries in the world. However, that doesn’t mean that Nauru has nothing. At least Nauru has a winning tourism potential. The beach sand is white, the coral reefs are very beautiful.
(fdl/fdl)
2023-07-01 00:00:12
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