Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau
local short form: Belau
former: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
local long form: Beluu er a Belau

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 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral

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 Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); 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 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA 46%; Sandra PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote - Sandra PIERANTOZZI 52%, Alan SEID 45%

Legislative branch bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16

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

Political parties and leaders none

Political pressure groups and leaders NA

International organization participation ACP, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO

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

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: the Ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to Palau; Charge d'Affaires Ronald A. HARMS
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 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Palau Government 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Palau Government 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.