Digraph: NR

Type: republic

Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren

Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren

Independence: 31 January 1968 (from UN trusteeship under Australia, New Zealand, and UK)

Constitution: 29 January 1968

Legal system: own Acts of Parliament and British common law

National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968)

Political parties and leaders: none

Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory

Elections:

President: last held 19 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - Bernard DOWIYOGO elected by Parliament

Parliament: last held on 14 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (18 total) independents 18

Executive branch: president, Cabinet

Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government: President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 12 December 1989)

Member of: AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, ICAO, INTERPOL, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UPU

Diplomatic representation in US: there is a Nauruan Consulate in Agana (Guam)

US diplomatic representation: the US Ambassador to Australia is accredited to Nauru

Flag: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru