Palau)

Languages: English and Palauan official in all states except
Sonsoral (Sonsorolese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and
English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are
official)

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92%

male: 93%

female: 90% (1980 est.)

Palau Government

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Palau

conventional short form: Palau

local long form: Beluu er a Belau

local short form: Belau

former: Palau District (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 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 (16 seats; members elected by popular vote on
a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of
Delegates (16 seats; membe