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.

Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines

7 30 N, 134 30 E

total: 458 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 458 sq km

territorial sea: 3 nm
extended fishing zone: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals

arable land: 8.7%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 86.95% (2001)

typhoons (June to December)

inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
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

20,016 (July 2004 est.)

Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70%, Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.)

Christian (Roman Catholics 49%, 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)

English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official)

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994

Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror

16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral

1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)

Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)

1 January 1981

based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 50,000 in FY00/01. The population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.

3.4% (2000 est.)

9,845 (2000)

agriculture 20%, industry NA, services NA (1990)

coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes

tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making

shellfish, tuna, copra, garments

US, Japan, Singapore (2000)

machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs

US, Guam, Japan, Singapore, Korea (2000)

US dollar (USD)

6,700 (2002)

1,000 (2002)

general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

total: 61 km
paved: 36 km
unpaved: 25 km

Koror

none

3 (2003 est.)

total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2003 est.)

total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2003 est.)

defence 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