Nauru The Gap Between Perception and Reality Essay

It would be easy to overlook the third smallest country in the world as a frivolous waste of time. Nothing could be further from the truth in regards to the island of Nauru. It is a multifarious nation described as almost a topographical micro slice of paradise. The Nauruan people have formed a democratic republic with a constitution safeguarding liberties and ensuring prosperity. At least this is according to the Nauru websites available to the public. Countries often present themselves as a glossy postcard picture on the outside. This picture does not always match the reality of what is on the inside. Looking at what the Nauruan Government and Tourist Organization have to say can serve as a baseline for comparison to the realities†¦show more content†¦1). It also includes provisions for freedom from torture, forced labor, deprivation of property, and freedom from intentionally having someone deprive you of your life (RON, 2012). These indications point to a govern ment based on very American like democratic values. This leaves the actual attraction of the island in terms of the tourist trade to reconnoiter. The Nauru tourism board focuses on attracting tourist with appeals such as â€Å"deep sea fishing, scuba dive amazing ocean depths, take a tour of the island’s past economic mainstay the phosphate mines or simply experience a holiday in a world far from your own†¦ game fishing for tuna, marlin, skipjack, barracuda and many more† (Nauru Tourism, 2011, p.1). It advertised the Phosphate mines as having created a â€Å"unique moonscape made up of limestone pinnacles† (Nauru Tourism, 2011, p.2). The complement to all this tropical vacation nirvana of course is a friendly native population. Native Nauruan’s are supposed to be â€Å"A quiet and peaceful people†¦welcoming and hospitable to the few travelers who venture to their tiny island† (Nauru Tourism, 2011, p.3). All the initial signs point to Nauru being not only a fantastic isolated vacation location, but they also have the benefit of an American-British like government. This is exactl y what Nauru wants the world to see. What follows is the reality of Nauru’s environmental, political, and economic, circumstances.