Note: The cache is not at the listed coordinates.
Living in the smallest state in the country is a source of pride for many Rhode Islanders. However few people know that Rhode Island is actually much larger than a number of entire nations. This cache is the first in a series representing the world's ten smallest countries, all of which are significantly smaller than the Ocean State. These puzzle caches aren't designed to be the most difficult, but hopefully you'll learn something about each country along the way. In most cases, the information provided at the beginning of each cache page will not be particularly helpful in solving the puzzle.
Nauru
Nauru, the 3rd smallest nation in the world, is comprised of a single coral atoll in the South Pacific Ocean. Originally settled around 3000 years ago by Polynesian seafarers, the 21 km2 island was ruled by twelve tribes, who coexisted peacefully until the late 18th century. The island remained undiscovered by the European world until 1798, when it was briefly contacted by the British whaling ship Hunter. Through further encounters with whaling ships, the twelve tribes gained access to firearms and alcohol, which ultimately drove them to war. In 1886, under the Anglo-German Declaration, Nauru became a German protectorate. The German empire swiftly established control over the island, which it maintained until it was captured by Australia, and then by the United Kingdom during World War I. During World War II, the island sustained significant damage from both Axis and Allied powers, before being occupied by Japanese troops in 1942. After a period of significant diplomatic turmoil, the island finally became autonomous in 1966, and gained formal recognition as an independent republic in 1968. Around 2002, the island’s phosphate reserves, which had been continuously mined since the initial German occupation, ran out, and the island was forced into bankruptcy. The island continues to struggle with crumbling infrastructure, bankruptcy, and rising sea levels, and many of its citizens are currently in transit to the United States as refugees.
Today, Nauru is quite difficult to visit, as its population (much of which is heavily dependent upon the government for basic health care and subsistence), has yet to find an economically viable means of establishing the island as a tourism hotspot. The vast majority of those visiting the island are politicians or lawyers involved in litigating the nation’s various suits against its former occupiers. Numerous remnants of the Japanese occupation can be found around the island, as well as many remains of the island’s mining past. Nauru’s future is uncertain, as sea level rise threatens its low-lying coast and its population flees poverty, but its government is hopeful that its economic fortunes will soon improve.
The Puzzle
(Assume N 41 59.XXX W 71 30.XXX)
Once at GZ, it shouldn't be long before you have the cache in hand!
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
FTF goes to GalinaF!