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Palau Country Guide
Explore Palau in Oceania
The topography includes varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs. The average density of population is approximately 44 per km². The notable climate conditions in Palau can be described as tropical with hot and humid and wet season May to November. Possible natural disasters include typhoons (June to December).
To reach someone in Palau dial +680 prior to a number. There are 7,100 installed telephones. And there are 13,200 registered mobile phones. The cellular networks commonly support frequencies of 900 MHz. Websites registered in this country end with the top level domain ".pw". If you want to bring electric equipment on your trip (e.g. laptop power supply), note the local power outlet of 115/230V - 50Hz.
About the flag and history of Palau
Light blue with a large yellow disk shifted slightly to the hoist side; the blue color represents the ocean, the disk represents the moon; Palauans consider the full moon to be the optimum time for human activity; it is also considered a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility.
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.
Geography Quick-Facts
| Summary | Continent: Oceania Neighbours: Capital: Melekeok |
| Size | 458 square kilometers (km² or sqkm) or 176 square miles (mi² or sqmi) slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
| Population | 20,303 |
| Currency | Name Dollar, Currency Code:USD |
| Country Top Level Domain (cTLD) | .pw |
| Telephone Country Prefix | +680 |
| Mobile Phone Connections | 13,200 |
| Landline Phone Connections | 7,100 |
Country Position in World Rankings
Information about single country attributes and how these compare against the rest of the world. The information below is compiled with data from 2013. As such, it may differ a bit to the Information above in the text (which is from 2010).
Geography
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 459 (sq km) | 198 |
People and Society
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,108 | 219 |
| Population growth rate | 0.37 (%) | 158 |
| Birth rate | 10.90 (births/1,000 population) | 175 |
| Death rate | 7.86 (deaths/1,000 population) | 106 |
| Net migration rate | 0.66 (migrant(s)/1,000 population) | 62 |
| Infant mortality rate | 11.77 (deaths/1,000 live births) | 132 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 72.33 (years) | 133 |
| Total fertility rate | 1.72 (children born/woman) | 168 |
| Health expenditures | 10.30 (% of GDP) | 28 |
| Obesity - adult prevalence rate | 48.90 (%) | 7 |
| Education expenditures | 10.30 (% of GDP) | 5 |
Economy
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (purchasing power parity) | 221,000,000 | 218 |
| GDP - real growth rate | 5.80 (%) | 48 |
| GDP - per capita (PPP) | 10,500 | 115 |
| Labor force | 9,777 | 217 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.20 (%) | 35 |
| Taxes and other revenues | 40.30 (% of GDP) | 44 |
| Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) | -2.40 (% of GDP) | 89 |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 2.70 (%) | 63 |
| Current account balance | -20,800,000 | 60 |
| Exports | 12,300,000 | 212 |
| Imports | 113,400,000 | 212 |
Communications
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Telephones - main lines in use | 6,900 | 206 |
| Telephones - mobile cellular | 15,400 | 209 |
| Internet hosts | 4 | 232 |
Transportation
| Value name | Value | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Airports | 3 | 194 |
Data based on CIA facts book 2010 & 2013, wikipedia, national statistical offices and their census releases
List of current world heritage sites
| Name | Since |
|---|---|
| Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Rock Islands Southern Lagoon covers 100,200 ha and includes 445 uninhabited limestone islands of volcanic origin. Many of them display unique mushroom-like shapes in turquoise lagoons surrounded by coral reefs. The aesthetic beauty of the site is hei ... | 2012 |