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NAVIGATION
Republic of Palau
Beluu er a Belau
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
GOVERNMENT
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau local short form: Belau former: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) local long form: Beluu er a Belau |
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Government type:
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constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994 |
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Capital:
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Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror |
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Administrative divisions:
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16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral |
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Independence:
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1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) |
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National holiday:
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Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) |
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Constitution:
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1 January 1981 |
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Legal system:
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based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA 46%; Sandra PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote - Sandra PIERANTOZZI 52%, Alan SEID 45% |
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16 |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas |
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Political parties and leaders:
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none |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA |
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International organization participation:
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ACP, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA
consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands) FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814 chancery: 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: the Ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to Palau; Charge d'Affaires Ronald A. HARMS
embassy: address NA, Koror mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940 telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990 FAX: [680] 488-2911 |
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Flag description:
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light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side |
ECONOMY
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Economy - overview:
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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. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $174 million
note: GDP numbers reflect US spending (2001 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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1% (2001 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: NA%
industry: NA% services: NA% |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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3.4% (2000 est.) |
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Labor force:
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8,300 (1999) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 20%, industry NA%, services NA% (1990) |
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Unemployment rate:
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2.3% (2000 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $57.7 million
expenditures: $80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1 million |
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Industries:
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tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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NA% |
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Agriculture - products:
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coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes |
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Exports:
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$11 million f.o.b. (1999) |
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Exports - commodities:
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shellfish, tuna, copra, garments |
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Exports - partners:
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US, Japan, Singapore |
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Imports:
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$126 million f.o.b. (1999) |
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs |
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Imports - partners:
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US |
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Debt - external:
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$0 (FY99/00) |
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$155.8 million (1995); note - the Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities |
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Currency:
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US dollar (USD) |
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Currency code:
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USD |
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Exchange rates:
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the US dollar is used |
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Fiscal year:
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1 October - 30 September |