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

Data code PS

Government type constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994

National capital Koror
note: a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern Babelthuap

Administrative divisions there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 16 states named Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi

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 Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993) and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993) and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993); 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 11 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000)
election results: Kuniwo NAKAMURA reelected president; percent of vote - Kuniwo NAKAMURA 64%, Chief Ibedul Yutuka GIBBONS 36%; Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. reelected vice president; percent of vote - Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. 69%, Kione ISECHAL 31%

Legislative branch bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (14 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats - one from each state; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000); House of Delegates - last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Delegates - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

Judicial branch Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas

Political parties and leaders Palau Nationalist Party, Polycarp BASILIUS

International organization participation ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IMF, SPC, SPF, UN, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA
chancery: 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Thomas C. HUBBARD (resident in Manila); Charge d'Affaires Gerald PASCUA
embassy: address NA, Koror
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

NOTE: The information regarding Palau on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Palau Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Palau Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.