When Nauru became independent on Jan. 31, 1968, none of the flags flown by German, British, and Australian rulers were deemed as appropriate. The flag's background is blue for the ocean, while the yellow stripe represents the Equator. The white star, just below the stripe, symbolizes Nauru's original tribes and its proximity to the Equator.

Nauru Official name: Republic of Nauru. Form of government: republic with one legislative house (Parliament [18]). Head of state and government: President. Population (1997): 10,400. Population projection: (2000) 10,700; (2010) 11,400. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995): 14.3 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (at current market prices; 1994): U.S.$175,000,000 (U.S.$16,700 per capita). Land use (1995): forested, 0%; meadows and pastures, 0%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation c. 10%; other c. 90%.

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