Once a British colony, Nauru's parliament is based on the Westminster model, but its 18 current members were elected as independents.

OVERVIEW

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The tiny Pacific island once generated a per capita income out of proportion to its size. But the source of this wealth - phosphates - is nearing exhaustion, leaving the islanders facing an uncertain future.

While the mining of 1,000 years' worth of fossilised bird droppings has been lucrative, Nauru relies on imports for almost everything - from food and water to fuel.

Moreover, recent financial crises have precipitated a slide into bankruptcy and a dependence on aid. The country had to sell off its assets in Australia to pay off a multi-million dollar debt to a US corporation.

Nauru's government has tried to develop alternative industries, including tourism and offshore banking. A world body, set up to fight money-laundering, removed Nauru from its list of uncooperative states in late 2005.

In 2001 Nauru signed an agreement with Australia to accommodate asylum seekers on the island, in return for millions of dollars in aid. Australia has sent financial experts to Nauru to help it overcome its problems.

FACTS

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• Population: 9,900 (UN, citing 1992 census)
• Capital: None, administrative centre is Yaren
• Area: 21 sq km (8 sq miles)
• Major languages: Nauruan, English
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: n/a
• Monetary unit: 1 Australian dollar = 100 cents
• Main export: Phosphates
• GNI per capita: n/a
• Internet domain: .nr
• International dialling code: +674

LEADERS

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President: Ludwig Scotty

Ludwig Scotty was re-elected unopposed by MPs in October 2004. In September he had sacked parliament after it failed to meet a deadline to pass a reform budget. The move precipitated a general election.

Hopes were high that the reformist government's resounding win would give Nauru its most stable administration in years.

The country has seen many governments come and go. Mr Scotty was re-elected by MPs in June 2004, less than a year after being ousted in a no-confidence vote in August 2003.

His predecessor, Rene Harris, lost a confidence vote after his finance minister supported an opposition motion.

Ludwig Scotty was first elected to parliament in 1983.