Old Phosphate Cantilever

The Old Phosphate Cantilever is a striking industrial relic on Nauru's coast, serving as a powerful symbol of the nation's 20th-century economic trajectory. This massive steel structure was engineered during the early colonial era to solve the logistical problem of loading phosphate onto large vessels that could not dock directly due to the island's encircling coral reefs. Its history is marked by conflict; the cantilever was severely damaged by German naval shelling in World War II and suffered further during the Japanese occupation. At the height of the mining boom, it was the focal point of an industry that briefly made Nauru one of the wealthiest nations per capita in the world. Now silent and weathered by the salty ocean air, the cantilever remains a dominant feature of the coastline. It stands as a monument to the industrial exploitation that reshaped the island's topography and remains an essential landmark for understanding Nauru's complex colonial and post-colonial heritage.

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.

Boe

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

Denigomodu

Denigomodu is the most populous district of Nauru.

Yaren

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

Denigomodu Settlement

Denigomodu is the economic residential hub for phosphate industry workers.

Buada Historic Settlement

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

Buada

Buada is the only landlocked district of Nauru.

Nibok

Nibok is a district on the western coast of Nauru.

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

Yangor Cliffs

The Yangor Cliffs are rugged rock formations on the west coast.

BPC Administration Building

The former headquarters of the British Phosphate Commissioners, who controlled mining for decades.

Aiwo Pinnacles

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

Nauru Post Office

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

Aiwo Civic Centre

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

Central Pacific Bank

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

Command Ridge

Command Ridge is the highest point in Nauru at 65 meters elevation.

Nauru General Hospital

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

Nature

Aiwo Mangroves

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

Boe Coral Belt

The Boe Coral Belt is a narrow reef system on the west of the island.

More places

Phosphate Cantilevers

These distinctive cantilever structures allow cargo ships to be loaded directly off the coast.

Aiwo Port

The Aiwo Port is the primary maritime gateway for the island's foreign trade and supplies.

Aiwo Historic Church

One of the oldest parishes on the island, whose buildings reflect missionary activity and cultural change.

Nauru Utilities Corporation (NUC)

NUC is the sole provider of electricity and water on the island.

RONPHOS Headquarters

The RONPHOS center coordinates all phosphate extraction on Nauru.

Second Cantilever

The second large cantilever complements the mining infrastructure on the west coast.

Boe Coastal Flora

The flora of Boe includes a variety of beach morning glories and low-lying coastal plants.

Command Ridge Guns

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