Palau
1 Palau Country Profile

General Information

Palau (historically Belau or Pelew), officially the Republic of Palau, is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. The country is made up of approximately 340 islands, forming the western chain of the Caroline Islands in Micronesia. It has an area of 466 square kilometres (180 sq. mi). The most populous island is Koror. The capital Ngerulmud is located on the nearby island of Babeldaob, in Melekeok State. Palau shares maritime boundaries with Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Palau's economy is based mainly on tourismsubsistence agriculture and fishing, with a significant portion of gross national product (GNP) derived from foreign aid. The country uses the United States Dollar (USD) as its currency. The islands' culture mixes Micronesian, Melanesian, Asian, and Western elements. Ethnic Palauans, the majority of the population, are of mixed Micronesian, Melanesian, and Austronesian descent. A smaller proportion of the population is descended from Japanese and Filipino settlers. The country's two official languages are Palauan (a member of the wider Sunda–Sulawesi language group) and English, with JapaneseSonsorolese, and Tobian recognised as regional languages.

Politically, Palau is a presidential republic in free association with the United States, which provides defense, funding, and access to social services. Legislative power is concentrated in the bicameral Palau National Congress

 

States of Palau

 

State Capital Area (km2) Population (census 2005)
North of Babeldaob
Kayangel Kayangel 3 188
Babeldaob
Aimeliik Mongami 52 270
Airai Ngetkib 44 2723
Melekeok Melekeok 28 391
Ngaraard Ulimang 36 581
Ngarchelong Mengellang 10 488
Ngardmau Urdmang 47 166
Ngaremlengui Imeong 65 317
Ngatpang Ngereklmadel 47 464
Ngechesar Ngersuul 41 25
Ngiwal Ngerkeai 26 223
Southwest of Babeldoab
Angaur Ngaramasch 8 320
Koror Koror City 18 12676
Peleliu Kloulklubed 18 702
Southwest Islands
Hatohobei Hatohobei 3 44
Sonsorol Dongosaru 3 100

Further generic country information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures.
For a broader country overview, please consult the following sources:

Palau Wikipedia Country Information - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palau

Palau IMF Country Information - http://www.imf.org/en/Countries/PLW

Humanitarian Info

Palau World Food Programme Information - http://www1.wfp.org/countries/pacific  

Palau UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Information - http://www.unocha.org/pacific/country-profiles/palau

 

Facts and Figures

Palau Wolfram Alpha Information - http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=palau

Palau World Bank Information - https://data.worldbank.org/country/Palau

Palau Population Information - http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/palau-population/

 

 

 

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