Belu’u era Belau

Note: In a national election on November 6, 2012, Thomas Remengesau Jr. was returned to the presidency with 58 percent of the vote. At his inauguration in January, he will succeed Johnson Toribiong, who himself succeeded Remengesau in 2008. Palau’s new vice president, elected separately, will be Antonio Bells.

Political Status: Former U.S. Trust Territory; became sovereign state in free association with the United States on October 1, 1994.

Land Area: 178 sq. mi. (461 sq. km).

Population: 21,032 (2012E—U.S. Census). Approximately 6,000 residents are nonnationals.

Major Urban Center (2005C): Koror (10,743), MELEKEOK (250). Melekeok, located on the largely undeveloped northern island of Babeldaob, replaced Koror as Palau’s capital in October 2006.

Official Languages: English, Palauan.

Monetary Unit: U.S. Dollar (see U.S. article for principal exchange ...