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Beluu ęr a Belau | |
| Compact of Free Association | |
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| Anthem Belau loba klisiich er a kelulul | |
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| Capital | Melekeok |
| Government | Presidential republic |
| President | |
| - From 2009 | Johnson Toribiong |
| Legislature | National Congress |
| - Upper house | Senate |
| - Lower house | House of Delegates |
| History | |
| - January 1, 1981 | Autonomy under U.S. trusteeship |
| - October 1, 1994 | Independence under a Compact of Free Association |
| Area | 459 km² |
| Population | |
| - 2011 | 20,956 |
| Density | 45.6/km² |
| GDP | 2011 (PPP) |
| - Total | US$ 0.1 billion |
| - Per capita | US$ 8,100 |
| Currency | US dollar |
 Pacific Islands
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The Republic of Palau is a presidential republic in Micronesia. Under the Compact of Free Association it has entered into a relationship as an associated state with the United States.
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.[1]
Economy
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. The Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provided Palau with up to $700 million in US aid for the following 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 85,000 in 2007. 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.[2]
President
- Johnson Toribiong (₩) (January 15, 2009 - )
Nation
Palauan Polities
United States: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (1947-1987)- Empire of Japan: Mandate of the South Seas Islands (1920-1947)
