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Australia-Oceania :: Palau

- ## Introduction :: PALAU

- Background:
  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.

- ## Geography :: PALAU

- Location:
  Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
  Geographic coordinates:
  7 30 N, 134 30 E
  Map references:
  Oceania
  Area:
  total: 459 sq km
  land: 459 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Area - comparative:
  slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  1,519 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 3 nm
  exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
  Terrain:
  varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
  Natural resources:
  forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 10.8%
  arable land 2.2%; permanent crops 4.3%; permanent pasture 4.3%
  forest: 87.6%
  other: 1.6% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  NA
  Natural hazards:
  typhoons (June to December)
  Environment - current issues:
  inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
  Environment - international agreements:
  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
  Geography - note:
  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

- ## People and Society :: PALAU

- Nationality:
  noun: Palauan(s)
  adjective: Palauan
  Ethnic groups:
  Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 72.5%, Carolinian 1%, other Micronesian 2.4%, Filipino 16.3%, Chinese 1.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other Asian 3.4%, white 0.9%, other 0.3% (2005 est.)
  Languages:
  Palauan (official on most islands) 66.6%, Carolinian 0.7%, other Micronesian 0.7%, English (official) 15.5%, Filipino 10.8%, Chinese 1.8%, other Asian 2.6%, other 1.3%
  note: Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official) (2005 est.)
  Religions:
  Roman Catholic 49.4%, Protestant 30.9% (includes Protestant (general) 23.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.3%, and other Protestant 2.5%), Modekngei 8.7% (indigenous to Palau), Jehovah's Witnesses 1.1%, other 8.8%, none or unspecified 1.1% (2005 est.)
  Population:
  21,265 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 220
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 20.26% (male 2,225/female 2,084)
  15-24 years: 17.18% (male 1,819/female 1,834)
  25-54 years: 46.21% (male 5,992/female 3,834)
  55-64 years: 9.03% (male 667/female 1,253)
  65 years and over: 7.32% (male 418/female 1,139) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Median age:
  total: 33.2 years
  male: 32.6 years
  female: 34.4 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  0.38% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Birth rate:
  11.05 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 178
  Death rate:
  7.99 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 100
  Net migration rate:
  0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 87.1% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  MELEKEOK (capital) 299 (2012)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.56 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.53 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.37 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 11.15 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 12.67 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 9.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 129
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 72.87 years
  male: 69.69 years
  female: 76.23 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Total fertility rate:
  1.71 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 170
  Health expenditures:
  9.9% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 28
  Physicians density:
  1.38 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
  Hospital bed density:
  4.8 beds/1,000 population (2010)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 97% of population
  rural: 86% of population
  total: 95.3% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 3% of population
  rural: 14% of population
  total: 4.7% of population (2011 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  47.1% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 7
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 99.5%
  male: 99.5%
  female: 99.6% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 14 years
  male: 14 years
  female: 14 years (2013)

- ## Government :: PALAU

- Country name:
  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
  Government type:
  constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 1 October 1994
  Capital:
  name: Melekeok
  geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E
  time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
  Independence:
  1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
  National holiday:
  Constitution Day, 9 July (1979), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution
  Constitution:
  ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981; amended 1992, 2004, last in 2008 (2015)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
  Citizenship:
  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
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Antonio BELLS (since 17 January 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Antonio BELLS (since 17 January 2013)
  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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016)
  election results: Tommy REMENGESAU elected president; percent of vote - Tommy REMENGESAU 58%, Johnson TORIBIONG 42%; Antonio BELLS elected vice president
  Legislative branch:
  description: bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau consists of the Senate (9 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)
  elections: Senate - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016); House of Delegates - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016)
  election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 16
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 3 associate justices organized into appellate trial divisions; also within the Supreme Court organization are 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 appointed until mandatory retirement at age 65
  subordinate courts: National Court and other 'inferior' courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  none
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  NA
  International organization participation:
  ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  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)
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Helen P. REED-ROWE (since 27 September 2013)
  embassy: Koror (no street address)
  mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940
  telephone: [680] 587-2920
  FAX: [680] 587-2911
  Flag description:
  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
  National symbol(s):
  bai (native meeting house); national colors: blue, yellow
  National anthem:
  name: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau)
  lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
  note: adopted 1980

- ## Economy :: PALAU

- Economy - overview:
  The economy consists of tourism and other services such as trade, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. Government is a major employer of the work force relying on financial assistance from the US under the Compact of Free Association (Compact) with the US. The Compact took effect, after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994. The US provided Palau with roughly $700 million in aid for the first 15 years following commencement of the Compact in 1994 in return for unrestricted access to its land and waterways for strategic purposes. Business and leisure tourist arrivals numbered over 125,000 in fiscal year 2014, a 13.4% increase over the previous year. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly double that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for tourism have been bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of industrial East Asia, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development. Proximity to Guam, the region's major destination for tourists from East Asia, and a regionally competitive tourist infrastructure enhance Palau's advantage as a destination.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $250 million (2014 est.)
  $238.3 million (2013 est.)
  $242.6 million (2012 est.)
  note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy
  country comparison to the world: 217
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $249 million (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  4.9% (2014 est.)
  -1.8% (2013 est.)
  3.2% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $14,100 (2014 est.)
  $13,500 (2013 est.)
  $13,700 (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 109
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 3.2%
  industry: 20%
  services: 76.8% (2012 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  coconuts, copra, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish
  Industries:
  tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA%
  Labor force:
  10,470 (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 218
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 20%
  industry: NA%
  services: NA% (1990)
  Unemployment rate:
  4.2% (2005 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 40
  Population below poverty line:
  NA%
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $123.6 million
  expenditures: $97.53 million (2012 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  49.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  10.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 5
  Fiscal year:
  1 October - 30 September
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  4% (2014 est.)
  2.8% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  -$32 million (2014 est.)
  -$24 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 71
  Exports:
  $19.1 million (2014 est.)
  $14.4 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Exports - commodities:
  shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
  Imports:
  $177.7 million (2014 est.)
  $146.5 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Imports - commodities:
  machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
  Debt - external:
  $18.38 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $16.47 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 88
  Exchange rates:
  the US dollar is used

- ## Communications :: PALAU

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 7,100
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 19,100
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 90 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Telephone system:
  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) (2009)
  Broadcast media:
  no TV stations; a cable TV 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 (1 government-owned) (2009)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
  Television broadcast stations:
  1 (cable) (2005)
  Internet country code:
  .pw

- ## Transportation :: PALAU

- Airports:
  3 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 194
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 2
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013)
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Koror

- ## Military :: PALAU

- Military branches:
  no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 6,987 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 5,272
  females age 16-49: 3,969 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 216
  female: 222 (2010 est.)
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years, but it has not stationed any military forces there (2008)

- ## Transnational Issues :: PALAU

- Disputes - international:
  maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia

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