After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence.
Population
20,879 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world:217
Nationality
Noun: Palauan(s)
Adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2% (2000 census)
Religions
Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other 3.1%, unspecified or none 16.4% (2000 census)
Languages
Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)
Country Name
Conventional long form:Republic of Palau
Conventional short form:Palau
Local long form:Beluu er a Belau
Local short form:Belau
Former:Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District
Government Type
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 1 October 1994
Capital
Name:Melekeok
Geographic coordinates:7 29 N, 134 38 E
Time difference:UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Independence
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National Holiday
Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution
1 January 1981
Legal system
based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
Chief of state:President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009)
Cabinet: NA
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Elections:president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
Election results:Johnson TORIBIONG (51%) defeats Elias Camsek CHIN (49%) for president; Kerai MARIUR elected vice president
Legislative branch
bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Elections:Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Delegates - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
Election results:Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16
Judicial branch
Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land Court
Political Parties and Leaders
none
Political pressure groups and leaders
NA
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission:Ambassador Hersey KYOTA
Chancery:1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone:[1] (202) 452-6814
FAX:[1] (202) 452-6281
Consulate(s):Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission:Charge d'Affaires Mark BEZNER
Embassy:Koror (no street address)
Mailing address:P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
Telephone:[680] 488-2920, 2990
FAX:[680] 488-2911
Flag description
light blue with a large yellow disk shifted slightly to the hoist side; the blue color represents the ocean, the disk represents the moon; Palauans consider the full moon to be the optimum time for human activity; it is also considered a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility
