Palau

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.

• tropical;
• hot and humid;
• wet season May to November

party to:

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified:

none of the selected agreements

• westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands;
• includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands

noun:

Palauan(s)

adjective:

Palauan

at birth:

1.064 male(s)/female

under 15 years:

1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years:

1.25 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

0.43 male(s)/female

total population:

1.13 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

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

name:

Melekeok

geographic coordinates:

7 29 N, 134 38 E

time difference:

UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)

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 elected president; percent of vote - Johnson TORIBIONG 51%, Elias Camsek CHIN 49%

• Supreme Court;
• Court of Common Pleas;
• Land Court

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)

chief of mission:

Ambassador Helen P. REED-ROWE

embassy:

Koror (no street address)

mailing address:

P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940

telephone:

[680] 488-2920, 2990

FAX:

[680] 488-2911

• 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

name:

"Belau rekid" (Our Palau)

lyrics/music:

multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL

note: adopted 1980

agriculture:

20%

industry:

NA%

services:

NA% (1990)

lowest 10%:

NA%

highest 10%:

NA%

general assessment:

NA

domestic:

fixed-line and mobile-cellular services available with a combined subscribership of roughly 100 per 100 persons

international:

country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008)

• no television broadcast stations;
• a cable television network covers the major islands and provides access to rebroadcasts, on a delayed basis, of a number of US stations as well as access to a number of real-time satellite TV channels;
• about a half dozen radio stations with 1 government-owned (2009)

males age 16-49:

5,272

females age 16-49:

3,969 (2010 est.)

male:

216

female:

222 (2010 est.)