The Pacific island nation known as Nauru has officially changed its name to Naoero — its native name.
The government made the announcement on Wednesday.
The country is located in the southern Pacific.
It has a population of about 12,000 people on an area of about 21 square kilometers.
President David Adeang explained Naoero’s name began to change over time. It gradually emerged as Nauru as foreigners mispronounced it.
Adeang said the native name was altered “not by our choice, but for convenience.”
The government initially planned to hold a national referendum on the change, but decided to cancel the vote. It says Naoero is not a new name which needs the people’s approval because it is already part of their heritage.
