Palau
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
UN trusteeship administered by the US
Palau as the 1993 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 69 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
In the North Pacific Ocean, 850 km southeast of the Philippines
14 fieldsTerrain
about 200 islands varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Environment
subject to typhoons from June to December; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
People
14 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1993 est.)
Male · female(1993 est.)
Religions
Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes this religion which is indigenous to Palau)
Languages
English (official in all of Palau's 16 states), Sonsorolese (official in the state of Sonsoral), Angaur and Japanese (in the state of Anguar), Tobi (in the state of Tobi), Palauan (in the other 13 states)
Government
UN trusteeship administered by the US
19 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Names
- conventional long form:
- Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
- conventional short form:
- none
note: may change to Republic of Palau after independence; the native form of Palau is Belau and is sometimes used incorrectly in English and other languages
Type
UN trusteeship administered by the US
note: constitutional government signed a Compact of Free Association with the US on 10 January 1986, which was never approved in a series of UN-observed plebiscites;
until the UN trusteeship is terminated with entry into force of the Compact, Palau remains under US administration as the Palau District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; administrative authority resides in the Department of the Interior and is exercised by the Assistant Secretary for Territorial and International Affairs through the Palau Office, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, J. Victor HOBSON Jr., Director (since 16 December 1990)
Administrative divisions
there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US; Government, but there are 16 states: Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi
Independence
- the last polity remaining under the US-administered UN trusteeship following the departure of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas from the trusteeship;
- administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of Interior
Legal system
based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Elections
- President:
- last held on 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - Kuniwo NAKAMURA 50.7%, Johnson TORIBIONG 49.3%
- Senate:
- last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (14 total);
- number of seats by party NA
- House of Delegates:
- last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996);
- results - percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (16 total);
- number of seats by party NA
Legislative branch
bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or OEK) consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Delegates
Leaders
Chief of State and Head of Government: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993), Vice-President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993)
Diplomatic representation in US
- administrative officer:
- Charles UONG,
- address:
- Palau Liaison Office, 444 North Capitol St., N.W., Suite 308, Washington, DC 20001
US diplomatic representation
- director:
- US Liaison Officer Lloyd W. MOSS
- liaison office:
- US Liaison Office at Top Side, Neeriyas, Koror
- mailing address:
- P.O. Box 6028, Koror, PW 96940
- telephone:
- (680) 488-2920; (680) 488-2911
Economy
The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. | Tourism provides some foreign exchange, although the remote location of | Palau and a shortage of suitable facilities has hindered development.
17 fieldsOverview
The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. Tourism provides some foreign exchange, although the remote location of Palau and a shortage of suitable facilities has hindered development. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US.
National product
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $31.6 million (1986) note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
Economic aid
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2,560 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $92 million
Communications
4 fieldsAirports
- total:
- 3
- usable:
- 3
- with permanent-surface runways:
- 1
- with runways over 3,659 m:
- 0
- with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
- 0
- with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
- 3
Defense Forces
1 fieldNote
defense is the responsibility of the US and that will not change when the UN trusteeship terminates if the Compact of Free Association with the US goes into effect
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau).” The World Factbook 1993. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/palau/1993.