Belu’u era Belau

Note: National elections were held on November 3, 2020. In that balloting, Surangel Whipps, Jr., was elected president with 56.7 percent of the vote, defeating incumbent vice president Raynold Oilouch, with 43.3 percent of the vote. Whipps was the brother-in-law of incumbent president Thomas Remengesau, Jr., who was prevented from running again due to term limits. Both presidential candidates ran as independents, as did the 13 elected senators and 16 elected members of the House.

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: 17,000 (2020E—World Bank); 21,685 (2020E—U.S. Census). Approximately 6,000 residents are nonnationals.

Major Urban Center (2017E): MELEKEOK (391), Koror (11,200). Melekeok, located ...