Most countries have mountains that stretch thousands of metres into the sky. Nauru's 'mountain' is more like a gentle hill, but on a flat coral island in the middle of the ocean, 70 metres feels surprisingly high. From the top, you can spot the whole coastline, the lagoon, and the reef in one glance.
The ridge runs across the central part of the island. It is covered in scrubby bushes and trees, and birds perch on the rocks to look out over the sea. On a clear day the view stretches a long way across the open Pacific.
Because it is the highest point, Command Ridge is a special landmark for Nauruans. Children sometimes climb it with their families, and standing there you get a real sense of just how small — and how surrounded by ocean — your home island is. It makes the sea feel enormous and the island feel precious.