In November 1914 Nauru was seized by Australian troops and remained in British control until 1921. At the end of the war, when the German colonies were distributed, a League of Nations Mandate was granted to Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. In 1947 the island was placed under United Nations Trusteeship and Australia resumed administration on behalf of the three partner governments. Nauru became an independent Republic on 31 January 1968. Nature Native sea-birds are plentiful.
Vegetation includes panadus, coconuts, tomano trees and frangipanni.
The climate is tropical with temperatures ranging between 24.4 C and 33.9 C, kept temperate by the sea breezes. Nauru is made up of a raised central plateau surrounded by a fertile coastal fringe. The plateau, known as 'topside', is the site of mining and is for the most part made up of limestone pinnacles, a truly unique landscape. In contrast, the coast has lush and verdant vegetation. Sights Nauru is not a very scenic islands.