Palau
Republic of Palau
self-governing territory in free association with the US
Palau as the 1995 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 79 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, | 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
- current issues:
- inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste;
- threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging and illegal fishing practices that involve the use of dynamite
- natural hazards:
- typhoons (June to December)
- international agreements:
- NA
Note
- includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands;
- archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1995 est.)
Male · female(1995 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
Self-governing territory in free association with the US
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Names
- conventional long form:
- Republic of Palau
- conventional short form:
- Palau
- former:
- Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Type
- self-governing territory in free association with the US pursuant to Compact of Free Association which entered into force 1 October 1994;
- Palau is fully responsible for internal affairs;
- US retains responsibility for external affairs
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
Legal system
based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Executive branch
- 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 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
- chief of mission:
- Liaison Officer NA
- liaison office:
- 444 North Capital Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
- telephone:
- (202) 624-7793
FAX
NA note: relationship of free association with the US pursuant to compact of free association which entered into force 1 October 1994
US diplomatic representation
- chief of mission:
- Liaison Officer Lloyd W. MOSS
- liaison office:
- Erenguul Street, Koror, Republic of Palau
- mailing address:
- P.O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
- telephone:
- [680] 488-2920
FAX
[680] 488-2911 note: relationship of free association with the US pursuant to compact of free association which entered into force 1 October 1994
Economy
The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture | and fishing.
18 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 16,000 kW
Overview
The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The compact of "free association" with the United States, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with $500 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing some military facilities.
The population, in effect, enjoys a per capita income of $5,000, twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific and the rapidly rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries.
National product
GDP - purchasing power parity - $81.8 million (1994 est.) note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
Exports
$600,000 (f.o.b., 1989)
- commodities:
- trochus (type of shellfish), tuna, copra, handicrafts
- partners:
- US, Japan
Economic aid
recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2.56 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $92 million
Transportation
5 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 3 in all
Networkskm
Communications
3 fieldsTelephone system
NA telephones
- local:
- NA
- intercity:
- NA
- international:
- 1 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth station
Defense Forces
NA
3 fieldsNote
defense is the responsibility of the US pursuant to Compact of Free Association which entered into force 1 October 1994 PALMYRA ATOLL (territory of the US)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Palau.” The World Factbook 1995. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/palau/1995.