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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 territorial sea:
3 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 forests, minerals (especially gold),
marine products, deep-seabed minerals arable land:
8.7% 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 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 total: 61 km
Koror none 3 (2003 est.) total: 1 total: 2 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 |
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