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

agricultural land:

10.8% (2011 est.)

arable land:

2.2% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 4.3% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 4.3% (2011 est.)

forest:

87.6% (2011 est.)

other:

1.6% (2011 est.)

• inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste;
• threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal and destructive fishing practices, and overfishing;
• climate change contributes to rising sea level and coral bleaching;
• drought

party to:

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, 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:

1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years:

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years:

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years:

1.58 male(s)/female

55-64 years:

0.58 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

0.32 male(s)/female

total population:

1.07 male(s)/female (2020 est.)

degree of risk:

high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases:

bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases:

malaria

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

etymology:

from the Palauan name for the islands, Belau, which likely derives from the Palauan word "beluu" meaning "village"

history:

ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981

amendments:

• proposed by a constitutional convention (held at least once every 15 years with voter approval), by public petition of at least 25% of eligible voters, or by a resolution adopted by at least three fourths of National Congress members;
• passage requires approval by a majority of votes in at least three fourths of the states in the next regular general election;
• amended 1992, 2004, 2008

citizenship by birth:

no

citizenship by descent only:

at least one parent must be a citizen of Palau

dual citizenship recognized:

no

residency requirement for naturalization:

note - no procedure for naturalization

chief of state:

• President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013);
• Vice President Raynold OILUCH (since 19 January 2017);
• note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government:

President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Raynold OILUCH (since 19 January 2017)

cabinet:

• Cabinet appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate;
• also includes the vice president;
• the Council of Chiefs consists of chiefs from each of the states who advise the president on issues concerning traditional laws, customs, and their relationship to the constitution and laws of Palau

elections/appointments:

• president and vice president directly elected on separate ballots by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term);
• election last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on November 2024)

election results:

Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Surangel WHIPPS, Jr.(independent) 57.4%, Raynold OILUCH (independent) 42.6%

highest courts:

Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 3 associate justices organized into appellate trial divisions; the Supreme Court organization also includes the Common Pleas and Land Courts)

judge selection and term of office:

• justices nominated by a 7-member independent body consisting of judges, presidential appointees, and lawyers and appointed by the president;
• judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65

subordinate courts:

National Court and other 'inferior' courts

chief of mission:

Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997)

chancery:

1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036

telephone:

[1] (202) 452-6814

FAX:

[1] (202) 452-6281

consulate(s):

Tamuning (Guam)

chief of mission:

Ambassador Amy HYATT (since 9 March 2015)

telephone:

[680] 587-2920

embassy:

Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai 96940

mailing address:

P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940

FAX:

[680] 587-2911

• 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

• coconuts, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes;
• fish, pigs, chickens, eggs, bananas, papaya, breadfruit, calamansi, soursop, Polynesian chestnuts, Polynesian almonds, mangoes, taro, guava, beans, cucumbers, squash/pumpkins (various), eggplant, green onions, kangkong (watercress), cabbages (various), radishes, betel nuts, melons, peppers, noni, okra

agriculture:

1.2%

industry:

12.4%

services:

86.4% (2016)

lowest 10%:

NA

highest 10%:

NA

• no broadcast TV stations;
• a cable TV network covers the major islands and provides access to 4 local cable stations, 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 (1 government-owned) (2019)

total:

125 km (2018)

paved:

89 km (2018)

unpaved:

36 km (2018)