Pacific Magazine > 2007 Pacific Almanac
Republic of Palau
The Basics
Population: 19,907
Capital: Melekeok
Land Area: 458 sq. km.
Political Status and Form of Government: Independent nation in free association with the United States
Languages: Palauan, English are 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)
Currency: U.S. Dollar (USD)
Number of Islands: Six island groups totaling more than 300 islands
The Numbers
Gross Domestic Product: US$157.7 million (2006 provisional figure)
Gross Domestic Product per capita: US$7,921 (2006 est.)
Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: 5.5% (2005 est.)
National Budget: $56 million (2006)
Aid per capita: 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. Taiwan is also a major donor.
Life Expectancy: Male: 70.71 (2007 est.) Female:
Ethnicity: Palauan 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, Asian 2.4%, other 3.2% (2000 census)
Nationality: Palauan
Age Distribution:0-14 years: 25.8%, 15-64 years: 68.4%, 65+: 5.7% (2007 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 1.31% (2007 est.)
People in Power
Head of Government: President Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr.
Head of State: President Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr.
Cabinet Members: Vice President Camsek Chin, Justice; Elbuchel Sadang, Finance; Fritz Koshiba, Resources and Development; Alexander Merep, Community and Cultural Affairs; Mario Katosang, Education; Temmy Shmull, State Minister; Otoichi Besebes, Commerce; Dr. Victor Yano, Health.
Representative Body: Bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK)
consists of the Senate (9 seats) and the House of Delegates (16 seats)
Regional Organizations
ACP, ADB, FAO, FFA IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WCPFC.
Media & Internet Service Providers
Radio: AM 1, FM 4, one shortwave station (2002)
Print: Palau Horizon, Island Times, Tia Belau newspapers
TV: One Cable TV station
ISP: One
Recent News
Palau’s celebrated its thirteenth independence anniversary celebrations at the new national capital in the state of Melekeok on October 1. President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. cautioned the country that the challenges of the coming year were the upcoming Compact Review with the United States and the need for legislative action to facilitate the growth of the private sector.
The president also emphasized that government revenues were not enough to meet current expenditures, and revenue generation was a priority. He also expressed the
nation’s excitement with the opening up with the 53-mile Compact Road on Babeldaob. The new sealed road has already created a range of new economic developments in tourism, agriculture and housing with travel between any state in Babeldaob to the commercial center of Koror within an hour. Previously, most of population was restricted to travel by boat often requiring an overnight stay in Koror.
The collapse of Pacific Savings Bank (PSB) in November of 2006 continued to be felt by the economy and a special independent counsel continues to investigate the failure. So far, charges have been filed against all of the bank’s Board of Directors and senior managers and criticism leveled at the board of Palau’s Civil Service Pension Plan for its loss of about $1.5 million in deposits with the uninsured institution.
The year was also marked with infractions of fishing regulations and particularly shark fining, with charges by the attorney general against three Taiwan tuna fishing companies. The AG also prosecuted and gained conviction of Palau’s first case of human trafficking
Palau was the smallest nation elected to a vice presidency of the UN General Assembly in 2007. Philippine airline Asian Spirit suspended its nearly two years of service in November citing losses of close to $5 million.
Airlines, Shippers Serving Countrys
Air: Continental Airlines, Far Eastern Air Transport, Japan Airlines, Palau Trans Pacific Airline, Palau Asia Pacific Air (charter).
Shippers: Belau Transfer and Terminal Company, FEDEX, Island Transportation Service, Matson Logistics Solution, PM & O Line, Palau Sea and Air Transportation Agency, Palau Shipping Company, The Transpo Group, UPS Palau, Western Pacific Shipping, government supply boats (south west islands and Kayangel).
Main Government Contact
Office of the President
P.O. Box 6051, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940
Ph: (680) 488-2541/2532
Fax: (680) 488-1662
Email:
roppresoffice@palaunet.com
Web:
www.palaugov.net
Palau Visitors Authority
P.O. Box 256, Koror, Republic of Palau, 96940
Ph: (680) 488-2793
Fax: (680) 488-1453
Email:
pva@palaunet.com
Sources and Republic of Palau on the Web
Palau Visitors Authority
www.visit-palau.com
SPC
"http://www.spc.int/PRISM"
CIA World Factbook
www.cia.gov/
Palau Government
www.palaugov.net
Palau Legislature
http://oek.palaunet.com/
Map courtesy UH Press, The Pacific Islands; an Encyclopedia
Click map for larger image
