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:
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
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 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) and Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005); 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 2 November 2004 (next to be held 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%
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 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008); House of Delegates - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)
election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9 (four new members elected); House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16 (one new member elected)
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, AsDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Hersey KYOTA
chancery:
1800 K Street NW, Suite 714, Washington, DC 20006
telephone:
[1] (202) 452-6814
FAX:
[1] (202) 452-6281
consulate(s):
Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:
US ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to Palau
embassy:
Koror (no street address)
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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