The Republic of Palau - or Belau, as it is also known -
is a small island country in Micronesia. It has an area
of 458 km 2 and is composed of a group of
islands known as Palau Islands and four coral islands:
Sonsorol, Merir, Pulo Anna and Tobi. It is located in
the western Pacific Ocean, with the Philippine seas to
the west, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to the south
and the Federated States of Micronesia to the east. On
October 7, 2006, the seat of the government was
transferred from Koror to Melekeok, in order to better
distribute political power among the different states of
the country.
Despite being nominally an independent country, Palau
signed a Free Association Treaty with the United States
of America.Climate
The climate is tropical with a hot and rainy season and
a less hot and dry one. The annual average temperature
is around 27 ºC.
Economy
The economy of this country is based on activities in
the primary sector: agriculture (coconut, cassava,
bananas, sweet potatoes) and fishing. Tourism and copra
exports are the country's main revenues. The country's
trading partners are the United States of America and
Taiwan.
Population
Palau had, in 2006, 20 579 inhabitants, estimated to
reach 24 300 inhabitants in 2025. The birth and death
rates are, respectively, 18.03% o and 6.8% o. Average
life expectancy reaches 70.42 years.
Art and culture
In addition to being good canoe builders, the palauanos
developed sculpture and handicrafts from fabrics and
everyday objects. Dance and music (flute and sea shell)
are cultural manifestations of great interest.
History
The first inhabitants of these islands date back 3000
years. Although they were discovered by the Spaniards in
the 16th century, it was only in the 19th century, after
the Spanish-American War, that Spain sold the islands to
Germany. From 1914 these islands started to be occupied
and administered by Japan. With the defeat of this
country in the Second World War, the United States of
America started to administer them as an integral part
of the United Nations Pacific Islands
Protectorate. After a long transition period in 1994,
the Paluan people voted in favor of a Free Association
Treaty with the USA. Since October 1, 1994, Palau has
been an independent republic in free association with
the United States.
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