1 Palau Country Profile Page 1 Page 2 General Information Palau (historically Belau or Pelew), officially the Republic of Palau, is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. The country is made up of approximately 340 islands, forming the western chain of the Caroline Islands in Micronesia. It has an area of 466 square kilometres (180 sq. mi). The most populous island is Koror. The capital Ngerulmud is located on the nearby island of Babeldaob, in Melekeok State. Palau shares maritime boundaries with In donesia, the Philippines, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Palau's economy is based mainly on tourism, subsistence agriculture and fishing, with a significant portion of gross national product (GNP) derived from foreign aid. The country uses the United States Dollar (USD) as its currency. The islands' culture mixes Micronesian, Melanesian, Asian, and Western elements. Ethnic Palauans, the majority of the population, are of mixed Micronesian, Melanesian, and Austronesian descent. A smaller proportion of the population is descended from Japanese and Filipino settlers. The country's two official languages are Palauan (a member of the wider Sunda–Sulawesi language group) and English, with Japanese, Sonsorolese, and Tobian recognised as regional languages. Politically, Palau is a presidential republic in free association with the United States, which provides defense, funding, and access to social services. Legislative power is concentrated in the bicameral Palau National Congress. States of Palau State Capital Area (km2) Population (census 2005) North of Babeldaob Kayangel Kayangel 3 188 Babeldaob Aimeliik Mongami 52 270 Airai Ngetkib 44 2723 Melekeok Melekeok 28 391 Ngaraard Ulimang 36 581 Ngarchelong Mengellang 10 488 Ngardmau Urdmang 47 166 Ngaremlengui Imeong 65 317 Ngatpang Ngereklmadel 47 464 Ngechesar Ngersuul 41 25 Ngiwal Ngerkeai 26 223 Southwest of Babeldoab Angaur Ngaramasch 8 320 Koror Koror City 18 12676 Peleliu Kloulklubed 18 702 Southwest Islands Hatohobei Hatohobei 3 44 Sonsorol Dongosaru 3 100 Further generic country information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a broader country overview, please consult the following sources: Palau Wikipedia Country Information - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palau Palau IMF Country Information - http://www.imf.org/en/Countries/PLW Humanitarian Info Palau World Food Programme Information - http://www1.wfp.org/countries/pacific Palau UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Information - http://www.unocha.org/pacific/country-profiles/palau Page 3 Facts and Figures Palau Wolfram Alpha Information - http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=palau Palau World Bank Information - https://data.worldbank.org/country/Palau Palau Population Information - http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/palau-population/ Page 4.