Palau
UN trusteeship administered by the US
Palau as the 1994 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 110 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 850 km southeast of | the Philippines
25 fieldstotal area
458 sq km
land area
458 sq km
comparative area
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
contiguous zone
24 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
Terrain
about 200 islands varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
arable land
NA%
permanent crops
NA%
meadows and pastures
NA%
forest and woodland
NA%
other
NA%
current issues
NA
natural hazards
subject to typhoons (June to December)
international agreements
NA
Note
includes World War II battleground of Peleliu and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
People
21 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1994 est.)
total population
71.01 years
male
69.14 years
female
73.02 years (1994 est.)
noun
Palauan(s)
adjective
Palauan
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)
total population
92%
male
93%
female
91%
by occupation
NA
Government
UN trusteeship administered by the US
26 fieldsconventional 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
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)
note
a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern Babelthuap
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
chief of state and head of government
- President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993), Vice-President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993);
- election last held on 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996);
- results - Kuniwo NAKAMURA 50.7%, Johnson TORIBIONG 49.3%
Senate
- elections 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
- elections 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
Diplomatic representation in US
trust territory of the UN administered by the US: Administrative Officer Charles UONG, Palau Liaison Office, 444 North Capitol Street NW, Suite 308, Washington, DC 20001
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
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.
26 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.
note
GDP numbers reflect US spending
revenues
$6 million
expenditures
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1986 est.)
commodities
trochus (type of shellfish), tuna, copra, handicrafts
partners
US, Japan
commodities
NA
partners
US
capacity
16,000 kW
production
22 million kWh
consumption per capita
1,540 kWh (1990)
recipient
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2.56 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $92 million
Communications
11 fieldstotal
61 km
paved
36 km
unpaved
gravel 25 km
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 (Palau), Trust Territory of the.” The World Factbook 1994. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/palau/1994.