Fun Easy English - Travel abroad Palau.

OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Palau

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION

The Republic of Palau is a constitutional democracy in free association with the United States. Palau is an archipelago consisting of several hundred volcanic and limestone islands and coral atolls, few of which are inhabited, and is politically divided into 16 states. Palau’s developing economy depends on tourism, marine resources and a small agricultural sector There are two kinds of public transportation available, taxi and Airai bus service. Palau International Airport is located on Babeldaob Island, near Koror Island. Direct commercial air service exists from Manila, Taipei and Guam to Palau and from Palau to Davao, Philippines and Davao, Philippines to Palau.

GEOGRAPHY

The Republic of Palau consists of eight principal islands and more than 250 smaller ones lying roughly 500 miles southeast of the Philippines. The islands of Palau constitute part of the Caroline Islands chain. About 70% of Palauans live in the capital city of Koror on Koror Island. The capital, however, relocated in 2006 from Koror to a newly constructed complex in Melekeok State on the larger but less developed island of Babeldaob--the second largest island in all of Micronesia after Guam.

PEOPLE

Palau was initially settled more than 4,000 years ago, probably by migrants from what today is Indonesia. British traders became prominent visitors in the 18th century, followed by expanding Spanish influence in the 19th century. Following its defeat in the Spanish-American War, Spain sold Palau and most of the rest of the Caroline Islands to Germany in 1899. Control passed to Japan in 1914 and then to the United States under UN auspices in 1947 as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Four of the Trust Territory districts formed a single federated Micronesian state in 1979, but this eventually dissolved as the individual districts--long culturally distinct--opted for more locally popular status. Palau approved a new constitution in 1981, subsequently signing a Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1982. After eight referenda and an amendment to the Palauan constitution, the Compact went into effect on October 1, 1994, marking Palau's emergence from trusteeship to independence.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

Citizens and nationals of the United States of America must have either a valid passport or a combination of a valid identification document containing a photograph of the holder issued by the United States of America or any of its states, cities, counties, towns or other political subdivisions, and a document containing proof of citizenship of the United States of America. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens visiting Palau for one year or less, provided the visitor otherwise complies with applicable regulations, for example, on employment. For more information about entry requirements of Palau, travelers may consult with the Embassy of Palau, 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 452-6814. Visit the Embassy of Palau’s web site at http://www.palauembassy.com/ for the most current information.

QUICK FACTS

Geography
Area: 458 sq. km. (about 190 sq. mi.) in eight main islands plus more than 250 islets.
Cities: Capital--Melekeok (pop. 391).
Terrain: Varies from mountainous main island to smaller, reef-rimmed coral islands.
Climate: Tropical.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Palauan.
Population: 19,907 (non-Palauan population, 5,469). Age structure: less than 15 years old, 5,152; 16-64 years old, 13,619; more than 65 years old, 1,136.
Population growth rate: 1.3%.
Ethnic groups: Palauans are Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian elements.
Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Modekngei (an indigenous Palauan religion).
Languages: English (official in all 16 states), Palauan.
Education: Literacy--92%.
Health: Life expectancy--male 68 yrs.; female 76 yrs. Infant mortality rate--16.2/1,000.
Work force: Public sector--56%; private sector--44%.

Government
Type: Constitutional republic in free association with United States.
Independence (from U.S.-administered UN trusteeship): October 1, 1994.
Constitution: January 1, 1981.
Branches: Executive--president (head of state and government), vice president, cabinet. Legislative--bicameral parliament elected by popular vote. Judicial--Supreme Court, National Court, Court of Common Pleas, and the Land Court.

Economy
GDP (2006, provisional figure): $157.7 million.
GDP per capita: $7,921.
National income (GDP + foreign assistance): $195.4 million.
National income per capita: $9,817.
GDP composition by sector: Public administration 23%, trade 20%, construction 15%, hotels and restaurants 11%, transportation and communications 9%, fisheries 2%, agriculture 1%, manufacturing and mining 1%.
Industry: Types--government, trade, construction, tourism.
Trade: Exports ($5.9 million, 2004)--fish, handicrafts. Export markets--U.S., Japan and Taiwan. Imports ($107.3 million)--fuel, food and beverages, manufactured goods. Import sources--U.S. (Guam), Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Korea.
External debt (2006): $38 million.
Currency: U.S. dollar.

USEFUL LINKS

U.S. Government