Palau Basic Information |
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| PALAU BASIC INFORMATION The Republic of Palau, Micronesia's westernmost island chain, offers some of the most unique holiday opportunities to be found anywhere in the world. Its natural beauty, untouched wilderness, intact culture, remoteness and stability combine to offer something for adventure seekers, historical buffs, nature enthusiasts as well as those who just want to get away from the rapid pace of their lives and soak up peace and tranquility. Located between Guam, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, Palau is a more than 400-mile-long archipelago that gives home to one of the world's unique phenomena, the Rock Islands. This collection of mushroom-shaped islets are largely uninhabited and are located in a large lagoon that harbors one of the world's greatest concentrations of corals, fish and other marine life. Not surprisingly, Palau has been named the No. 1 Underwater Wonder of the World. However, the protected lagoon and astounding diversity of this area has also given rise to other activities in recent years namely sea kayaking, Parasailing and sports fishing. For those seeking relaxation with the comforts of home, resorts in Koror provide white sand beaches, swimming pools and top-notch restaurants. On Palau's largest island of Babeldaob, remote waterfalls and hiking trails amid a lush jungle set the stage for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Here, along the edges of this dense wildlife, Palauan villages still survive. Visitors often find themselves the guests of the village, greeted with a ready smile and treated to a homemade meal of fresh fish and local vegetables. Despite years of foreign political presence, Palauans have carefully nurtured and preserved their matrilineal culture. Divisions fall along family and village lines, with a number of special ceremonies for important events in the lives of each individual. Today, there are a new crop of national events and holidays celebrating Palau's recently acquired independence. On October 1, 1994, Palau signed the Compact of Free Association with the United States, ending more than 200 years of foreign governance by Spain, Germany, Japan and finally the U.S. This democratic country is very stable and provides a safe and clean environment for visitors. Palau's official languages are Palauan and English, but due to the long-term presence of the Japanese in the first half of this century, many Palauans have a working knowledge of Japanese. Palau's currency is the U.S. dollar, and many establishments accept major credit cards from the U.S. and Japan. Flora & Fauna Palau is blessed with a rich diversity of biologically unique plant and animal life. Tropical forest covers much of the islands, including such trees as the ironwood, banyan, coconut palm, pandanus and broadleaf hardwood trees. Other areas feature mangrove forests and even grassland savannas. Palau has 50 species of resident birds including the national bird, the Palauan Fruit Dove or Biib. The spectacular marine environment boasts over 1,400 species of fish, over 700 species of coral and anemones and even saltwater riparian crocodiles. Rare species such as the giant Tridacna clam and dugongs (manatees) are also found here. There are no poisonous animals or insects in Palau. A trip to Palau may only last a week or two, but the memories are sure to last a lifetime. Brief History Palau's early history is still largely veiled in mystery. Why, how or when people arrived on the beautiful islands is unknown, but studies indicate that today's Palauans are distant relatives of the Malays of Indonesia, Melanesians of New Guinea and Polynesians. As for the date of their arrivals, carbon dating of artifacts from the oldest known village sites on the Rock Islands and the spectacular terraces on Babeldaob place civilization here as early as 1,000 BC. The most noteworthy first foreign contact took place in 1783 when the vessel Antelope, under the command of English Captain Henry Wilson, was shipwrecked on a reef near Ulong, a Rock Island located between Koror and Peleliu. With the assistance of Koror's High Chief Ibedul, Wilson and his men stayed for three months to rebuild his ship. From that time onward, many foreign explorers called on Palau, and the islands were exposed to further European contact. Foreign governance of the islands officially began when Pope Leo XIII asserted Spain's rights over the Caroline Islands in 1885. Two churches were established and maintained by two Capuchin priests and two brothers, resulting in the introduction of the Roman alphabet and the elimination of inter-village wars. In 1899, Spain sold the Carolines to Germany, which established an organized program to exploit the islands' natural resources. Following Germany's defeat in WWI, the islands were formally passed to the Japanese under the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. The Japanese influence on the Palauan culture was immense as it shifted the economy from a level of subsistence to a market economy and property ownership from the clan to individuals. In 1922, Koror became the administrative center for all Japanese possessions in the South Pacific. The town of Koror was a stylish metropolis with factories, shops, public baths, restaurants and pharmacies. Following Japan's defeat in WWII, the Carolines, Marianas and Marshall Islands became United Nations Trust Territories under U.S. administration, with Palau being named as one of six island districts. As part of its mandate, the U.S. was to improve Palau's infrastructure and educational system in order for it to become a self-sufficient nation. This finally came about on October 1, 1994, when Palau gained its independence upon the signing of the Compact of Free Association with the United States. 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 Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994 Capital: Koror note: a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror Administrative divisions: 18 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Palau Island, Peleliu, Sonsoral, 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, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, 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: Ambassador Thomas C. HUBBARD (resident in Manila); Charge d'Affaires Allen E. NUGENT 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. |
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