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World > Oceania > Palau
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Palau |
Introduction:
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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.
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| Official name: |
Republic of Palau |
| Capital: |
name: Melekeok
geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
| Government type: |
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994 |
| Population: |
20,842 (July 2007 est.) |
| 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%, Japan |
| Official Currency: |
US Dollar (USD)
Current US Dollar Exchange Rates
Historical US Dollar Exchange Rates
Chart US Dollar Exchange Rates |
| Currency code: |
USD |
| Area: |
total: 458 sq km
land: 458 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
| Climate: |
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November |
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Map of Palau
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