Command Ridge

Command Ridge is the highest elevation on the island of Nauru, rising to 65 meters above sea level. Its strategic importance was cemented during World War II when Japanese occupation forces established it as their primary observation post and command center to monitor the surrounding Pacific waters. Today, the ridge serves as a poignant reminder of that era, featuring well-preserved remnants of Japanese weaponry, including two large 12.7cm anti-aircraft guns that still stand guard over the island. Visitors can also explore the remains of bunkers and communication centers built into the coral rock. From this vantage point, one can see the stark contrast of Nauru's landscape: the coastal greenery gives way to the desolate interior plateau, where decades of phosphate mining have left behind a surreal forest of limestone pinnacles. The site provides a unique perspective on both the island's wartime suffering and its subsequent economic transformation through mining.

Nearby cities

Baitsi

Baitsi is located in the north of Nauru and extends from the coast into the hilly interior.

Aiwo

Aiwo is considered the main commercial hub of Nauru.

Buada Historic Settlement

The fertile inland area around Buada Lagoon, a center for agriculture and settlement on the island for centuries.

Denigomodu Settlement

Denigomodu is the economic residential hub for phosphate industry workers.

Buada

Buada is the only landlocked district of Nauru.

Denigomodu

Denigomodu is the most populous district of Nauru.

Nibok

Nibok is a district on the western coast of Nauru.

Boe

Boe is a small but densely populated administrative district in southwest Nauru.

Yaren

Yaren is the primary administrative district of Nauru and serves as the de facto capital.

Meneng

Meneng is an extensive district in the southeast of Nauru.

Uaboe

Uaboe is a small coastal district in northwestern Nauru.

Ewa

Ewa is the northernmost point of Nauru.

Anibare

Anibare is best known for the bay of the same name, which offers the island's finest swimming beach.

Anetan

Anetan is a district on the northern coast of Nauru.

Arenibek

Arenibek is a small coastal settlement in the Anabar district.

History & landmarks

Nauru General Hospital

The Nauru General Hospital in Denigomodu is the primary medical facility on the island.

Aiwo Civic Centre

The civic centre in Aiwo is a central hub for administrative and social events.

Nauru Post Office

The main post office in Aiwo is a key institution for the island's communication.

Central Pacific Bank

The Central Pacific Bank in Aiwo is Nauru's primary financial institution.

Eigigu Supermarket

The Eigigu Supermarket is the island's largest commercial center for consumer goods.

Aiwo Pinnacles

The Aiwo Pinnacles are impressive remnants of the limestone structure on the west of the island.

Nature

Buada Lagoon

Buada Lagoon is a landlocked, brackish lake located in the center of the island.

Aiwo Mangroves

Isolated mangrove patches can be found in protected zones along the Aiwo coast.

More places

Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation (NRC)

The NRC is responsible for restoring land areas destroyed by mining.

Command Ridge Forest

Command Ridge hosts some of the densest remaining forest patches on the island.

Command Ridge Guns

Historic Japanese coastal defense guns located at the highest point of the island, remaining in their original positions today.

Japanese Hospital Ruins

Remains of a Japanese army medical facility, built in the island's interior during the Pacific War.

Buada District Gardens

The gardens in Buada District show a mix of ornamental and food plants.

RONPHOS Headquarters

The RONPHOS center coordinates all phosphate extraction on Nauru.

Buada Pandanus Groves

The Pandanus groves around Buada Lagoon are a sanctuary for native flora.

Buada Basin

The Buada Basin is a natural depression within the central plateau, containing the island's only inland lake.