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About the President - Tommy
E. Remengesau
President Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr., is one of Palau's most youthful and
energetic leaders. He began his political career as the youngest Senator
ever elected to the Palau National Congress (the Olbiil Era Kelulau) in 1984
at the age of 28. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest
Palauan ever elected to the Office of the Vice President in 1992. His
re?election to the Office of the Vice President in 1996, and his recent
election to the Office of the President is a mark of his vitality and his
commitment to his promise to the People of Palau to work hard to "preserve
the best, and improve the rest" for Palau, today and for generations to
come.
President-Elect Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr., was born on February 28, 1956,
in Koror, Palau. As the eldest of eight children born to Mr. Thomas O.
Remengesau, Sr., and Ferista Esang Remengesau, "Tommy" has followed in his
distinguished father's footsteps. Thomas Sr. served as Palau's first
District Administrator for 12 years. He also served the Republic as the
Minister of Justice, and later as Vice President, finally serving as the
President of the Republic, completing former President Salii's term.
In 1984, he was elected to the Senate of the Second Olbiil Era Kelulau,
representing the then First Senatorial District. Later he was re?elected to
the Senate of the Third Olbiil Era Kelulau. During both terms, he served as
Chairman of the powerful Committee on Ways and Means and was instrumental in
helping to erase Palau's outstanding budget deficit and bring about
financial stability and credibility.
The President-Elect's keen budgetary sense served him well in his first term
as Vice President, during which he concurrently held the position of
Minister of Administration (Finance). Under the then Vice-President's able
leadership, all prior year debts of the Republic of Palau were retired,
while numerous reforms improved fiscal efficiency and increased revenue
collections, restoring faith in Palau's National Treasury. In 1998, the then
Vice-President efforts also resulted in the Republic's official membership
in the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.
As Vice-President, The President served as Chairman of several key
Committees. While Chairing the Compact of Free Association Transition
Commission, he steered the newly independent Republic of Palau through an
orderly transition. As Chairman of the Disaster Plan Task Force, he led the
Republic in its return to "normalcy" following the disastrous collapse of
the K?B Bridge. He also served as the standing Chairman of the National
Emergency Committee. In this emergency capacity, the President-Elect
directed the Republic's efforts to combat the Y2K Millennium Bug.
The Vice-President was elected as the President of the Republic of Palau and
was sworn into office on January 1, 2001. |
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Background:
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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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Location:
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Oceania, group of islands in the North
Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines |
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Geographic coordinates: |
7 30 N, 134 30 E |
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Map references:
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Oceania |
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Area: |
total: 458 sq km
land: 458 sq km
water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative: |
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of
Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries: |
0 km |
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Coastline: |
1,519 km |
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Maritime claims: |
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
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Climate: |
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May
to November |
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Terrain: |
varying geologically from the high,
mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually
fringed by large barrier reefs |
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Elevation extremes: |
owest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m |
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Natural resources: |
forests, minerals (especially gold),
marine products, deep-seabed minerals |
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Land use: |
arable land: 8.7%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 86.95% (2005) |
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Irrigated land: |
NA |
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Natural hazards: |
typhoons (June to December) |
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Environment - current issues: |
inadequate facilities for disposal of
solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral
dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing |
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Environment - international
agreements: |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the
Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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Geography - note: |
westernmost archipelago in the Caroline
chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands;
includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and
world-famous rock islands |
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Population: |
20,842 (July 2007 est.) |
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Age structure: |
0-14 years: 26% (male 2,796/female
2,633)
15-64 years: 69.2% (male 7,767/female 6,665)
65 years and over: 4.7% (male 465/female 516) (2007 est.)
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Median age: |
total: 32 years
male: 33 years
female: 31 years (2007 est.) |
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Population growth rate: |
1.233% (2007 est.) |
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Birth rate: |
17.7 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
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Death rate: |
6.77 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
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Net migration rate: |
1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007
est.) |
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Sex ratio: |
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.062 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.165 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.901 male(s)/female
total population: 1.124 male(s)/female (2007 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate: |
total: 14.07 deaths/1,000 live
births
male: 15.78 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth: |
total population: 70.71 years
male: 67.54 years
female: 74.06 years (2007 est.) |
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Total fertility rate: |
2.46 children born/woman (2007 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |
NA |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: |
NA |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths: |
NA |
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Nationality: |
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan |
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Ethnic groups: |
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and
Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian
2.4%, white 1.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or
unspecified 3.2% (2000 census) |
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Religions: |
Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%,
Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%,
Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other 3.1%, unspecified
or none 16.4% (2000 census) |
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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%,
Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)
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Literacy: |
definition: age 15 and over can
read and write
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90% (1980 est.) |
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Country name:
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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, Palau District
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Government type:
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constitutional government in free
association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into
force 1 October 1994 |
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Capital:
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name: Melekeok
geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time) |
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Administrative divisions:
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16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur,
Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau,
Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol |
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Independence:
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1 October 1994 (from the US-administered
UN trusteeship) |
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National holiday:
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Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
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Constitution:
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1 January 1981 |
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Legal system:
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based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the
legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Tommy
Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001); Vice President Camsek
CHIN (since 1 January 2005); 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); Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005)
cabinet: NA
elections: president and vice president elected on separate
tickets by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second
term); election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held in November
2008)
election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. reelected
president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 64%, Polycarp
BASILIUS 33%; Elias Camsek CHIN elected vice president; percent of vote
- Elias Camsek CHIN 70%, Sandra PIERANTOZZI 29% |
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral National Congress 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 2 November 2004 (next to be held in
November 2008); House of Delegates - last held 2 November 2004 (next to
be held in November 2008)
election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats -
independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats -
independents 16 |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land
Court |
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Political parties and leaders:
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none |
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Political pressure groups and
leaders:
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NA |
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International organization
participation:
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ACP, ADB, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,
IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief
of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA
chancery: 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC
20006
telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
consulate(s) general: Honolulu
consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam) |
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Diplomatic representation from the
US:
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chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires
Mark BEZNER
embassy: Koror (no street address)
mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990
FAX: [680] 488-2911 |
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Flag description:
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light blue with a large yellow disk
(representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side |
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Economy - overview:
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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. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 63,000 in 2003. 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. |
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$124.5 million
note: GDP estimates includes US subsidy (2004 est.) |
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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$145 million (2005) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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5.5% (2005 est.) |
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GDP - per capita (PPP):
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$7,600 (2005 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 6.2%
industry: 12%
services: 81.8% (2003) |
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Labor force:
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9,777 (2005) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 20%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1990) |
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Unemployment rate:
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4.2% (2005 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% |
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Household income or consumption by
percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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2.7% (2005 est.) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $72.07 million
expenditures: $72.43 million (FY04/05 est.) |
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Agriculture - products:
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coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet
potatoes; fish |
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Industries:
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tourism, craft items (from shell, wood,
pearls), construction, garment making |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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NA% |
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Current account balance:
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$15.09 million (FY03/04) |
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Exports:
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$5.882 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
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Exports - partners:
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US, Japan, Singapore (2006) |
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Imports:
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$107.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and equipment, fuels, metals;
foodstuffs |
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Imports - partners:
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US, Singapore, Japan, South Korea (2006)
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$23.46 million; note - the Compact of Free
Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN
trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in
US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities (2005)
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Debt - external:
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$0 (FY99/00) |
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Market value of publicly traded
shares:
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$NA |
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Currency (code):
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US dollar (USD) |
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Exchange rates:
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the US dollar is used |
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Fiscal year:
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1 October - 30 September |
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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6,700 (2002) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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1,000 (2002) |
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Telephone system:
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general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
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Television broadcast stations:
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1 (cable) (2005) |
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Internet country code:
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.pw |
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Internet hosts:
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1 (2007) |
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Airports:
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3 (2007) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007) |
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Roadways:
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total: 61 km
paved: 36 km
unpaved: 25 km |
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Ports and terminals:
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Koror |
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Military branches:
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no regular military forces; Palau National
Police (2008) |
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Manpower available for military
service:
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males age 18-49: 5,694 (2005 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service:
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males age 18-49: 4,087 (2005 est.)
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Manpower reaching military service
age annually:
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males age 18-49: 142 (2005 est.)
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Military expenditures - percent of
GDP:
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NA |
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Military - note:
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defense is the responsibility of the US;
under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US
military is granted access to the islands for 50 years, but no military
forces are stationed there (2005) |
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Disputes - international:
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maritime delineation negotiations continue
with Philippines, Indonesia |
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