Nauru, Kiribati, and Tonga

Last week, three freshmen nations were admitted to the United Nations. Nauru, Kiribati, and Tonga—small island nations in the Pacific Ocean—raised the membership of the U.N. up to 188.

Did you know:

• The entire area of Nauru is just 8 square miles and has a population of 10,605, yet it has its own international airline.
• Kiribati will have the distinction of being the first nation in the world to greet the dawn of the new millennium—a fact that has become a bone of contention with its neighbor Tonga.
• On December 31, 1999, Tonga's 81-year-old monarch, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, plans to sail as close as possible to the international dateline to watch the sun rise on the year 2000.

Here's more interesting facts about the U.N's freshmen on the block.

The Republic of Nauru: Full-Size Map | Geography, Government, History | Encyclopedia Information | Quick Stats | Commonwealth of Nations | The Nauruan Language

The Republic of Kiribati : Full-Size Map | Geography, Government, History | Encyclopedia Information | Quick Stats | Commonwealth of Nations

The Kingdom of Tonga :Full-Size Map | Geography, Government, History | Encyclopedia Information | Quick Stats | Commonwealth of Nations