Yaren (in earlier times Makwa/Moqua) is a district of the Pacific island country of Nauru. It is the de facto capital of Nauru and is coextensive with Yaren Constituency. It is also the fourth-least-populated capital in the world.

History

The district was created in 1968. Its original name, Makwa (or Moqua), refers to Moqua Well, an underground lake and primary source of drinking water for Nauruan people.

Geography

Yaren is located in the south of the island. Its area is 1.5 km2, and its elevation was 25 m. To the north of Yaren is Buada, to the east is Meneng and to the west is Boe.

Climate

Yaren has a marine tropical rainforest climate (Köppen Af) with hot, humid conditions across the year.

Administration

Yaren (and sometimes Aiwo) is usually listed as the capital of Nauru. However, this is incorrect; the republic does not have cities nor an official capital. Yaren is accepted by the United Nations as the "main district". English and Nauruan, the official languages of Nauru, are spoken in the district.

Government and administrative buildings

The following government offices are located in this district:

Constituency

Yaren also constitutes a political constituency. It returns two members to the Parliament of Nauru.

Main sights

Education

The primary and secondary schools serving all of Nauru are Yaren Primary School in Yaren District (Years 1–3), Nauru Primary School in Meneng District (Years 4–6), Nauru College in Denigomodu District (Years 7–9), and Nauru Secondary School (Years 10–12) in Yaren District. The Nauru Learning Village in Yaren houses the University of the South Pacific Nauru Campus, the Nauru Technical & Vocational Education Training Centre, and Nauru Secondary.

Notable People