Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Palau

 
Dictionary: Pa·lau   (pä-lou', pə-) pronunciation also Be·lau
 
Palau
(Click to enlarge)
Palau
(Mapping Specialists, Ltd.)
(bə-) (Formerly Pe·lew (pə-lū', pē-))

A group of about 200 volcanic islands and islets in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. When the Carolines became part of the Federated States of Micronesia in 1978, Palau chose to form a republic in free association with the United States, which became effective in 1994. The capital is Koror. Population: 20,800.

 

Search unanswered questions...
Enter a word or phrase...
All Community Q&A Reference topics
 

Island country, western Pacific Ocean. Area: 188 sq mi (488 sq km). Population (2005 est.): 21,100. Capital: Melekeok. The population is of mixed Malay, Melanesian, Filipino, and Polynesian ancestry. Languages: Palauan, Sonsorolese-Tobian, English (all official). Religion: Christianity (mostly Roman Catholic; also Protestant, other Christians). Currency: U.S. dollar. The islands of the Palau group are fertile, with mangrove swamps along the coasts, backed by savanna and palms rising to rainforests in the hills. The major source of employment is government service. Subsistence farming and fishing are the main occupations in the rural areas. Palau is a republic with two legislative houses; its head of state and government is the president. The islands had been under nominal Spanish ownership when they were sold to Germany in 1899. They were seized by Japan in 1914 and taken by Allied forces in 1944 during World War II. Palau became part of the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947 and became a sovereign state in 1994; the U.S. provides economic assistance and maintains a military presence in the islands.

For more information on Palau, visit Britannica.com.

 
Palau (pälou') , officially Republic of Palau, independent nation (2005 est. pop. 20,300), c.192 sq mi (497 sq km), W Pacific, in the W Caroline Islands. Belau, the indigenous name for Palau, is sometimes used. Until 1994, Palau was administered by the United States as the last UN trust territory. It consists of about 200 islands and islets, of which Babeldaob (or Babelthuap, the site of Melekeok, the capital), Oreor (or Koror, the former site of the capital), Arakabesan, and Malakal are the most important.

Palauans (about 70% of the population) are predominantly Micronesian with a mix of Malayan and Melanesian strains. There are minorities of Filipinos, Chinese, and other Asians. Palauan is the official language, but English and other languages are also spoken. Roman Catholicism and Protestantism are the predominant religions.

Tourism, subsistence farming, and fishing and shellfishing are the chief economic activities. Machinery and equipment, fuels, and foodstuffs are imported. The United States provides considerable financial assistance and is Palau's largest trading partner, followed by Singapore and Japan.

Palau is governed under the constitution of 1981. The president, who is both head of state and head of government, is elected by popular vote for a four-year term and is eligible for a second term. The bicameral Parliament consists of the nine-seat Senate and the 16-seat House of Delegates; all members are popularly elected for four-year terms. Administratively, the islands are divided into 16 states. Defense is the responsibility of the United States.

History

Spain held the islands for about 300 years before selling them to Germany in 1899. Japan seized them in 1914 and was given a mandate over them by the League of Nations in 1920. A major Japanese naval base in World War II, Palau was seized by U.S. forces in 1944 and made part of the U.S.-administered United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947. Palau became self-governing in 1981. Palau's constitution prohibits nuclear weapons, causing a conflict with the Free Association Compact proposed by the United States in 1985–86. The islands voted in favor of the compact in 1987, but the referendum failed to garner the 75% of the votes then required. In a new plebiscite held in 1993 the compact was approved, opening the door to closer official linkage with the United States. The following year Palau became an independent nation in free association with the United States. The capital was moved from Oreor to Babeldoab in 2006. Johnson Toribiong was elected president in 2008, succeeding Tommy Remengesau, Jr., who had been elected to the maximum two terms.


 
Dialing Code: Palau
Top

The international dialing code for Palau is:   680


 
Local Time: Palau
Top

Local Time: Jul 13, 1:24 AM

 
Statistics: Palau
Top
Click to enlarge

Introduction

Background: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.

Geography

Location:Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 458 sq km
land: 458 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:1,519 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Terrain:varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Natural resources:forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:arable land: 8.7%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 86.95% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: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

People

Population:20,842 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 26% (male 2,796/female 2,633)
15-64 years: 69.2% (male 7,767/female 6,665)
65 years and over: 4.7% (male 465/female 516) (2007 est.)
Median age:total: 32 years
male: 33 years
female: 31 years (2007 est.)
Population growth rate:1.233% (2007 est.)
Birth rate:17.7 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate:6.77 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Net migration rate:1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.062 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.165 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.901 male(s)/female
total population: 1.124 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 14.07 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 15.78 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 70.71 years
male: 67.54 years
female: 74.06 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate:2.46 children born/woman (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups:Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2% (2000 census)
Religions:Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other 3.1%, unspecified or none 16.4% (2000 census)
Languages:Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90% (1980 est.)

Government

Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau
local long form: Beluu er a Belau
local short form: Belau
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District
Government type:constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994
Capital:name: Melekeok
geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Independence:1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution:1 January 1981
Legal system:based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001); Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005); 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); Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005)
cabinet: NA
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2008)
election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. reelected president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 64%, Polycarp BASILIUS 33%; Elias Camsek CHIN elected vice president; percent of vote - Elias Camsek CHIN 70%, Sandra PIERANTOZZI 29%
Legislative branch:bicameral National Congress 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 2 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2008); House of Delegates - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2008)
election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land Court
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AsDB, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA
chancery: 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
consulate(s) general: Honolulu
consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Mark BEZNER
embassy: Koror (no street address)
mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990
FAX: [680] 488-2911
Flag description:light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side

Economy

Economy - overview: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 63,000 in 2003. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly 50% higher than 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$124.5 million
note: includes US subsidy (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$145 million (2005)
GDP - real growth rate:5.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 6.2%
industry: 12%
services: 81.8% (2003)
Labor force:9,777 (2005)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture: 20%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1990)
Unemployment rate:4.2% (2005 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.7% (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $72.07 million
expenditures: $72.43 million (FY04/05 est.)
Agriculture - products:coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish
Industries:tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Current account balance:$15.09 million (FY03/04)
Exports:$5.882 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Exports - partners:US, Japan, Singapore (2006)
Imports:$107.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners:US, Singapore, Japan, South Korea (2006)
Debt - external:$0 (FY99/00)
Economic aid - recipient:$23.46 million; 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 (2005)
Currency (code):US dollar (USD)
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September

Transportation

Airports:3 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007)
Roadways:total: 61 km
paved: 36 km
unpaved: 25 km
Ports and terminals:Koror

Military

Military branches:no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2006)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 5,694 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 4,087 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 142 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:NA
Military - note:defense 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, but no military forces are stationed there (2005)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international:maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia


 
Wikipedia: Palau
Top
Republic of Palau
Beluu er a Belau
Flag Coat of arms
AnthemBelau loba klisiich er a kelulul
Orthographic projection centred over Palau.
Capital Melekeok1
7°21′N 134°28′E / 7.35°N 134.467°E / 7.35; 134.467
Largest city Koror
Official languages English, Palauan
Recognised regional languages Japanese
Angaur (in Angaur)
Sonsorolese (in Sonsoral)
Tobian (in Hatohobei)
Carolinian, Filipino, Chinese
Demonym Palauan
Government Democratic presidential republic
 -  President Johnson Toribiong
 -  Vice President Kerai Mariur
Independence from UN Trust Territory status
 -  Date October 1, 1994 
Area
 -  Total 459 km2 (195th)
177 sq mi 
 -  Water (%) negligible
Population
 -  July 2007 estimate 20,842 (211th)
 -  Density 43/km2 (155th)
111/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2006 estimate
 -  Total $157.7 million2 (not ranked)
 -  Per capita $10,000 (not ranked)
HDI (2003) 0.864 (unranked) (n/a)
Currency US dollar (USD)
Time zone (UTC+9)
Drives on the right
Internet TLD .pw
Calling code 680
1 On 7 October 2006, government officials moved their offices in the former capital of Koror to Melekeok, located 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Koror on Babelthaup Island.
2 GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2004 estimate).

Palau en-us-Palau.ogg /pəˈlaʊ/ , officially the Republic of Palau (Palauan: Beluu er a Belau), is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, some 500 miles (800 km) east of the Philippines and 2,000 miles (3,200 km) south of Tokyo. Having emerged from United Nations trusteeship (administered by the United States) in 1994, it is one of the world's youngest and smallest sovereign states. In English, the name is sometimes spelled Belau in accordance with the native pronunciation. It was formerly also spelled Pelew.[1]

Contents

History

Archaeology

Early Palauans may have come from Australia, Polynesia and Asia. Depending on the thread of the family, Palauans may represent many parts of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. However, they are traditionally not considered to be Micronesian. According to geneticists, there are two distinctive strains of Melanesian bloodlines: one is associated with indigenous Australians/Papua New Guineans and the other is known to have originated in Asia. There has not been any link established between the two.

In the European and Australian world Belau/Pelew is better known by the name of "The Black Islands". Vintage maps and village drawings can be found at the Australian library online, as well as photos of the tattooed and pierced Ibedul of Koror and Ludee.

Carbon dating and recent archaeological discoveries have brought new attention to the archipelago. Cemeteries uncovered on the islands have shown Palau has the oldest burial ceremony known to Oceania. Prior to this there was dispute as to whether Palau was established around 2500 BC or 1000 BC. New studies seem to dispute both of these theories. Moreover, Palau's ancient trading partner, Java, has also come under close scrutiny since Homo floresiensis was found. Like Flores, remains of small-bodied humans have been found in Palau.[2]

For thousands of years, Palauans have had a well established matrilineal society, believed to have descended from Javanese precedents. Traditionally land, money, and titles passed through the female line. Clan lands continue to be passed through titled women and first daughters[3] but there is also a modern patrilineal sentiment introduced by imperial Japan. The Japanese government attempted to confiscate and redistribute tribal land into personal ownership during World War II, and there has been little attempt to restore the old order. Legal entanglements continue amongst the various clans.[4]

European contact

Historians take interest in the early navigational routes of European explorers in the Pacific. There is controversy as to whether Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos, who landed in several Caroline Islands, spotted the Palau archipelago in 1543. No conclusive evidence exists, but some think he could have seen the tip of a southernmost island in the group.

Palau had limited relations, mainly with Yap and Java. Had it not been for ship-wrecked islanders who took refuge in the Philippines, Europeans likely would not have found a route to Palau until much later. English Captain Henry Wilson, Captain of the East India Company's packet Antelope, was also shipwrecked off the island of Ulong in 1783.[5] The King of Palau allowed captain Wilson to take his son, prince Le Boo, to England, where he arrived in 1784, and died soon after of smallpox. The East India Company erected a monument over his grave in St Mary's Churchyard,[6] Rotherhithe. Wilson dubbed Palau the “Pelew Islands”.

Spanish rule

Like the Mariana Islands, the Caroline Islands and the Marshall Islands, Palau was part of the Spanish East Indies, and was administered from the Spanish Philippines until the Spanish-American War of 1898.

In 1885, after Germany occupied some of the islands, a dispute was brought to Pope Leo XIII, who made an attempt to legitimize the Spanish claim to the islands (but with economic concessions for Britain and Germany). Spain, after defeat during the Spanish-American War, sold the islands to Germany in the 1899 German-Spanish Treaty.[7][8]

German era

After the Spanish sold the islands to Germany, the Germans began an economic transformation in Micronesia. The Germans began mining bauxite (an aluminum ore), phosphate, and other resources. The islands were also administered by German New Guinea. Mining continued throughout Micronesia even after the Germans lost the islands to Japan under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, after World War I. The Japanese continued and expanded the mining operations.

Japanese rule

Koror in the Japanese Period

During World War I, under the terms of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, the Empire of Japan declared war on the German Empire and invaded German overseas territories in the Pacific Ocean, including the Palau Islands. Following Germany's defeat, the League of Nations formally awarded Palau to Japan as a Class C League of Nations Mandate.[9]

Under the terms of a “Class C Mandate” Japan incorporated the islands as an integral part of its empire, establishing the Nanyo-cho government with Koror being the capital.[10] Initially under Imperial Japanese Navy administration, civilian control was introduced from 1922, and Palau was one of six administrative districts within the Mandate. Japan mounted an aggressive economic development program and promoted immigration by Japanese, Okinawans and Koreans. During this period, the Japanese established bonito (skipjack tuna) production and copra processing plants in Palau.

World War II

Peleliu was the scene of intense fighting between American and Japanese forces beginning September 1944 resulting in an Allied victory, though the cost in human terms was high for both sides. After WWII, the United Nations played a role in deciding the U.S. would administer Palau as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. In 1979, Palauans voted against joining the Federated States of Micronesia based on language and cultural differences. After a long period of transition, including the violent deaths of two presidents (Haruo Remeliik in 1985 and Lazarus Salii in 1988), Palau voted to freely associate with the United States in 1994 while opting to retain independence under the Compact of Free Association.

There are still roughly 100 American service members listed as Missing In Action (MIA) in Palau since WWII. Since 1993, a small group of American volunteers called The BentProp Project have searched the waters and jungles of Palau to attempt to gather information that can lead to the identification and recovery of remains of these American MIAs.

Politics and government

The New Capitol in Palau.

Palau's politics takes place in a multi-party framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Palau is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the Palau National Congress. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

Tombs of Haruo Remeliik and Mamoru Nakamura.

Palau adopted its own constitution in 1981, and the governments of the United States and Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association in 1986, similar to compacts that the United States had entered into with the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.[11] The compact entered into force on October 1, 1994, concluding Palau’s transition from trusteeship to independence[11] as the last portion of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to gain its independence.[citation needed]

Free association

The Compact of Free Association between the United States and Palau sets forth the free and voluntary association of their Governments,[12] and is primarily focused on the issues of government relations, economic relations, and security and defense relations.[13]

Foreign relations

As a sovereign nation, Palau conducts its own foreign relations.[11] Since independence, Palau has established diplomatic relations with a number of nations, including many of its Pacific neighbors. Palau was admitted to the United Nations on December 15, 1994, and has since joined several other international organizations. In September 2006, Palau hosted the first Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit, and its President has gone on several official visits to other Pacific countries, including the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The United States maintains the usual diplomatic delegation and an embassy in Palau, but most aspects of the two countries' relationship have to do with Compact-funded projects, which are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Insular Affairs.[14] This has led to some ambiguity in the official status of Palau,[citation needed] though regarded as de jure independent.

Since 2004, Palau has joined the United States and Israel as the only nations voting consistently against an annual U.N. resolution condemning the United States embargo against Cuba which has been in place since 1962.

Nuclear-free constitution

In 1981, Palau voted for the world's first nuclear-free constitution. However, this delayed Palau's independence as it also wanted a Compact of Free Association with the United States, which the U.S. would not agree to as long as the anti-nuclear clause was in place;[citation needed] thus the United Nations delayed terminating the U.S. trusteeship.[citation needed] Palauan independence was finally achieved after the anti-nuclear clause was repealed.[citation needed]

Asylum for former Guantanamo prisoners

On June 10, 2009 Palau announced that it would accept up to all 17 of the remaining Uyghurs held in extrajudicial detention in Guantanamo "as a humanitarian gesture".[15][16][17][18][19][20] Five Uyghurs captives were cleared of all suspicion in 2004, and transferred to Albania in 2006. The remaining seventeen were cleared of all suspicion in 2008.

Stuart Beck, Palau's representative to the United Nations, published an op-ed in the New York Times disputing the widely distributed report that Palau's agreement to accept the Uyghurs was tied to Palau's receipt of $200 million in foreign aid.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Beck asserted that Palau was receiving funds from the USA connected with accepting the Uyghurs -- but it was $90,000 per Uyghur, not "$12 million". Beck asserted that the $90,000 was to compensate Palau for its "relocation costs" and was "to cover transportation, food, housing and medical help until the men can get oriented and get jobs."

ABC News confirmed that the United States would be paying Palau for each captive who was resettled.[22] They quoted a senior official who described the amount as "not very substantial".

William Cleary, writing in the Pacific Daily News, reported that Palau was in a poor bargaining position to decline the American request.[23] He wrote:

"The detainee transfer deal comes at a time when generous U.S. financial aid and economic development grants to Palau under a 15 year old treaty of free association between the two nations have expired. Palauan leaders apparently wanted to demonstrate their commitment to sharing mutual interests and burdens with the USA , as they make the case for renewal of U.S. grant assistance."

However Cleary also described the assertions that the captive resettlement was a straight quid pro quo as "misleading".[23] He listed the USA's desire to continue to be able to base DoD personnel on Palau, to balance the growing military force of China as one complicating factor. He also listed Palau's desire to have exemption from growing pressure within the USA to restrict immigration from former protectorates like Palau as another complicating factor.

An official "technical working group" from Palau traveled to Guantanamo to meet with the Uyghurs in mid-June.[24][25] The Palau government published a press release on June 23 2009 which said only eight of the thirteen Uyghurs agreed to meet with the delegation. The delegation included Stevenson J. Kuartei, the Minister of Health, and Patrick Tellei, President of the Palau Community College. The report stated: "The team advised President Toribiong that in their opinion only a few of the detainees that were interviewed had any real interest in being relocated to Palau."

On June 30 2009 Radio New Zealand International reported only one Uyghur agreed to be temporarily resettled in Palau.[26] According to its report Palau President Johnson Toribiong had been part of the delegation to Guantanamo.

States

The sixteen states of Palau.

Palau is divided into sixteen states (until 1984 called municipalities). These are listed below with their areas (in square kilometres) and 2005 Census populations:

State Area Census 2005
Aimeliik 52 270
Airai 44 2,723
Angaur 8 320
Hatohobei 3 44
Kayangel 3 188
Koror 18 12,676
Melekeok 28 391
Ngaraard 36 581
Ngarchelong 10 488
Ngardmau 47 166
Ngaremlengui 65 317
Ngatpang 47 464
Ngchesar 41 254
Ngiwal 26 223
Peleliu 13 702
Sonsorol 4 100

Historically, Palau's uninhabited Rock Islands have been part of the State of Koror.

Geography

Koror-Babeldaob Bridge.
Republic of Palau.

Palau's most populous islands are Angaur, Babeldaob, Koror, and Peleliu. The latter three lie together within the same barrier reef, while Angaur is an oceanic island several miles to the south. About two-thirds of the population live on Koror. The coral atoll of Kayangel is situated north of these islands, while the uninhabited Rock Islands (about 200) are situated to the west of the main island group. A remote group of six islands, known as the Southwest Islands, some 375 miles (600 km) from the main islands, are also part of the country and make up the states of Hatohobei and Sonsorol.

Climate

Palau enjoys a tropical climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82 °F (28 °C). Rainfall can occur throughout the year, averaging a total of 150 inches (3,800 mm). The average humidity over the course of the year is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare, as Palau is outside the main typhoon zone.

Environment

Rock Islands in Palau.

While much of Palau's natural environment remains free of environmental degradation, there are several areas of concern, including illegal fishing with the use of dynamite, inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste in Koror, and extensive sand and coral dredging in the Palau lagoon. Like the other Pacific island nations, a potential major environmental threat is global warming and the related rising of sea level. Water coverage of low-lying areas is a threat to coastal vegetation, agriculture, and the purity of the nation's water supply. Palau also has a problem with inadequate water supply and limited agricultural areas to support the size of the population. The nation is also vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic activity, and tropical storms. Sewage treatment is a problem, along with the handling of toxic waste from fertilizers and biocides.

On November 5, 2005, President of Palau, Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. took the lead on a regional environmental initiative called the Micronesia challenge, which would conserve 30 percent of near shore coastal waters and 20 percent of forest land by 2020. In addition to Palau, the initiative was joined by the Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands, and the U.S. territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. Together, this combined region represents nearly 5 percent of the marine area of the Pacific Ocean and 7 percent of its coastlines.

Economy

Consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. Tourist activity focuses on scuba diving and snorkeling in the islands' rich marine environment, including the Floating Garden Islands to the west of Koror and the Rock Islands to the south. 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 the financial year 2000/2001. The population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-term 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.

In July 2004, Palau Micronesia Air was launched with service from Palau to Yap, Guam, Micronesia, Saipan, Australia, and the Philippines. By offering low fares it was planned to be a competitor of Continental Micronesia, however it ceased operations in December of the same year, mainly because of rising fuel prices. Palau Micronesia Air has not restarted operations since but has made a codeshare alliance with Asian Spirit, a carrier that operates flights between Palau and the Philippines (Davao, Cebu, and Manila). There are two flights weekly from Manila via Cebu to Palau and one flight weekly from Davao. Just after few months of service, Asian Spirit ceased its Philippines to Palau route.

Taxes are moderate, the income tax has 3 brackets with medium rates (9.3%, 15% and 19.6%), corporate tax is 14% and general sales tax is 7.5%. There are no property taxes.

Demographics

The population of Palau is approximately 21,000, of whom 70% are native Palauans, who are of mixed Melanesian, Micronesian, and Malayan descent. Filipinos form the second largest ethnic group. Other Asians in South East Asia account for the minority groups.

Three quarters of the population are Christians (mainly Roman Catholics and Protestants), while Modekngei (a combination of Christianity, traditional Palauan religion and fortune telling) and the ancient Palauan religion are commonly observed. According to the 2005 census[27] 49.4% of the population are Roman Catholics, 21.3% Protestants, 8.7% Modekngei and 5.3% Seventh-day Adventists.

The official languages of Palau are Palauan and English, except for two states (Sonsorol and Hatohobei) where the local language, along with Palauan, is official. Japanese is also spoken widely amongst older Palauans, and, indeed, retains official status in the State of Angaur. Tagalog is not official in Palau, but it is the fourth largest spoken language.

Culture

Libraries and museums

There are several libraries in Koror, including a public library with a collection comprising about 17,000 books. The Belau National Museum, established in 1973, is also located in Koror and has an affiliated Research Library. Palau Community College also houses a library. In addition to the National Museum, the Etpison family has also opened the Etpison Museum in Koror, which contains many culturally important artifacts.

Transport

Palau International Airport provides scheduled direct flights to Guam and Manila. In addition, the states of Angaur and Peleliu have regularly served airports. Freight and cruise ships call at Malakal Harbor, on Malakal Island outside Koror. The country has no railways, and almost half of the roads are unpaved (of the 61 km/38 mi of highways, only 36 km/22 mi are paved). Driving is on the right and the speed limit is 40 km/h (25 mph). Taxis are available in Koror. They are not metered and fares are negotiable. Only Koror maintains a bus service. Transportation between islands mostly relies on private boats.

In the media

Logo for the tenth season of "Survivor." The U.S. media exposure helped to boost tourism in Palau.
  • The 1968 World War II movie Hell in the Pacific starring Lee Marvin and Toshirō Mifune was filmed on Palau's Rock Islands.
  • Palau was also the site for the American reality television program Survivor: Palau, which aired from February 17 to May 15, 2005, the tenth edition of the Survivor franchise. It was also the location of Survivor: Micronesia, the sixteenth edition, which aired from February 7 to May 11, 2008.
  • The islands are also mentioned in the song "Orinoco Flow" performed by the Irish singer Enya.
  • Palau was featured in an episode of the children's TV show Toot and Puddle, which was based on the book series by American children's author Holly Hobbie.
  • In June of 2009, it was reported that Palau agreed to "temporarily resettle" the Uyghur detainees held at the United States' Guantanamo Detention Facility.[19] This generated a great deal of media interest in Palau and the agreements associated with the possible move. The president of Palau later stated that an agreement had not been reached yet.[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ Nelson's World Gazetteer and Geographical Dictionary, ed. J. Gunn, Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd, London, 1935
  2. ^ Lee R. Berger, Steven E. Churchill, Bonita De Klerk1, Rhonda L. Quinn (March 2008). "Small-Bodied Humans from Palau, Micronesia". PLoS ONE 3 (3): e1780. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001780. 
  3. ^ Palau National Communications Corporation [1]
  4. ^ SG Travel at Yahoo on Palauan matriarchal social systems
  5. ^ SG Travel at Yahoo on Henry Wilson
  6. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary's_Church,_Rotherhithe
  7. ^ Sandafayre.com on Palauan history
  8. ^ United States Department of State article on Palau
  9. ^ Peatty, Nan'Yo: The Rise and Fall of the Japanese in Micronesia
  10. ^ Beasley, Japanese Imperialism
  11. ^ a b c Compact of Free Association: Palau's Use of and Accountability for U.S. Assistance and Prospects for Economic Self-Sufficiency, United States Government Accountability Office, June 10, 2008, p. 7, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-732 
  12. ^ Compact of Free Association Between the Government of the United States of America and the government of Palau, Preamble
  13. ^ Compact of Free Association Between the Government of the United States of America and the government of Palau, Table of Contents
  14. ^ USDOI Office of Insular Affairs
  15. ^ a b Matthew Lee, Devlin Barrett (2009-06-09). "US eyes Pacific to resettle Uighur detainees". WTOP. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwtop.com%2F%3Fnid%3D116%26sid%3D1692515&date=2009-06-11. Retrieved on 2009-06-11. 
  16. ^ a b Ray Lilley (2009-06-10). "Island nation of Palau to take Gitmo's Uighurs". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thestar.com%2Fnews%2Fworld%2Farticle%2F648438&date=2009-06-11. Retrieved on 2009-06-11. 
  17. ^ a b "Pacific state Palau to take Uighur detainees". CTV News. 2009-06-10. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctv.ca%2Fservlet%2FArticleNews%2Fstory%2FCTVNews%2F20090610%2FPalau_Uighur_090610%2F20090610%3Fhub%3DWorld&date=2009-06-11. Retrieved on 2009-06-11. 
  18. ^ a b "Palau to take 17 Uygur Guantanamo inmates". China Daily. 2009-06-11. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chinadaily.com.cn%2Fworld%2F2009-06%2F11%2Fcontent_8272318.htm&date=2009-06-11. Retrieved on 2009-06-11. 
  19. ^ a b c Mike Levine (2009-06-09). "Palau Agrees to Take Uighur Gitmo Detainees". Fox News. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2F2009%2F06%2F09%2Freport-obama-administration-talks-palau-resettle-uighur-detainees%2F&date=2009-06-11. Retrieved on 2009-06-11. 
  20. ^ a b "Palau to take Uighur detainees from Guantanamo Bay". Yahoo News. 2009-06-10. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2Fs%2Fap%2F20090610%2Fap_on_re_au_an%2Fas_us_guantanamo_palau&date=2009-06-11. Retrieved on 2009-06-11. 
  21. ^ Stuart Beck (2009-06-19). "The Myth of the $12 Million Uighur". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/opinion/20beck.html?em. 
  22. ^ Kirit Radia (2009-06-10). "US and Palau wrangling over Gitmo transfer details, including $$$". ABC News. http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/06/us-and-palau-wrangling-over-gitmo-transfer-details-including.html. Retrieved on 2009-06-26. 
  23. ^ a b William Cleary (2009-06-24). "Will taking detainees pay off for Palau?". Pacific Daily News. http://www.guampdn.com/article/20090624/OPINION02/906240322/1014/OPINION/Will+taking+detainees+pay+off+for+Palau. Retrieved on 2009-06-26. 
  24. ^ Kevin Kerrigan (2009-06-23). "Uyghures Don't Show Much Interest In Palau". Pacific News Center. http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8802:uyghures-dont-show-much-interest-in-palau&catid=34:guam&Itemid=141. Retrieved on 2009-06-28. 
  25. ^ "Ministry of State: Press Release". Government of Palau. 2009-06-23. http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/images/pdfs/palauwegers.pdf. Retrieved on 2009-06-28. 
  26. ^ "Palau Government still not sure if Uighurs are coming". Radio New Zealand International. 2009-06-30. http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=47454. Retrieved on 2009-07-01. 
  27. ^ Office of Planning and Statistics, Republic of Palau: 2005 Census of Population and Housing, Table 59, retrieved on March 1, 2007
  28. ^ Tomoko A. Hosaka (2009-06-13). "AP Interview: Detainee move to Palau is tentative". Associated Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jcYT2uyf2jHy2sFskx0GsO50qf-QD98PP5480. Retrieved on 2009-06-28. 

External links

Find more about Palau on Wikipedia's sister projects:
Definitions from Wiktionary

Textbooks from Wikibooks
Quotations from Wikiquote
Source texts from Wikisource
Images and media from Commons
News stories from Wikinews

Learning resources from Wikiversity
Government
General information

Coordinates: 7°20′59″N 134°30′35″E / 7.34972°N 134.50972°E / 7.34972; 134.50972


 
Translations: Palau
Top

Français (French)
n. - Palau

Português (Portuguese)
n. - Palau

Español (Spanish)
n. - Palau

中文(简体)(Chinese (Simplified))
帕劳

中文(繁體)(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 帛琉

한국어 (Korean)
팔라우 (Belau 공화국의 전 이름)


 
 
Learn More
.pw (abbreviation)
Pelelieu
The Living Edens: Palau - Paradise of the Pacific (2000 Nature Film)

Where is Palau in asia? Read answer...
What continent is Palau on? Read answer...
What is the latitude and longitude of Palau? Read answer...

Help us answer these
How many states does Palau have?
When did palau gain?
When was palau dicovered?

Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

 

Copyrights:

Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Columbia Encyclopedia. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright © 2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/cup/  Read more
Answers Corporation Dialing Code. © 1999-2009 by Answers Corporation. All rights reserved.  Read more
Local Time. Copyright © 2001 - Chaos Software. All rights reserved  Read more
Statistics. The World Factbook 2005 is prepared by the Central Intelligence Agency.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Palau" Read more
Translations. Copyright © 2007, WizCom Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved.  Read more

 

Mentioned in