Palau

National name

Beluu er a Belau

Government
Constitutional republic.

Geography
 The Palau island chain consists of about 200 islands located in the western Pacific Ocean, 528 mi (650 km) southeast of the Philippines. Only eight of the islands are permanently inhabited. They vary geologically from the high mountainous largest island, Babelthuap, to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs.

Historical 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.

Facts & Figures

Name

PALAU

Capital

Melekeok

Government

Democratic presidential republic

Language

English, Palauan

Religion

The German and Japanese occupations of Palau both subsidized missionaries.

Area

459 km2

Population

2010 estimate 20,879

Currency

US dollar (USD)

GDP(PPP)

2008 estimate Total $164 million

Time Zone

(UTC+9)