Total fertility rate: 2.79 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan

Ethnic divisions: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan,
and Melanesian races

Religions: Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's
Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and
Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population
observes this religion which is indigenous to Palau)

Languages: English (official in all of Palau's 16 states),
Sonsorolese (official in the state of Sonsoral), Angaur and Japanese
(in the state of Anguar), Tobi (in the state of Tobi), Palauan (in
the other 13 states)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90%

Government
----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau
local long form: Beluu er a Belau
local short form: Belau
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

Data code: PS

Type of government: constitutional government in free association
with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1
October 1994

Capital: Koror
note: a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern
Babelthuap

Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative
divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 16 states:
Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard,
Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal,
Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi

Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN
Trusteeship)

National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)

Constitution: 1 January 1981

Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the
legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA
(since 1 January 1993) and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr.
(since 1 January 1993) were elected for four-year terms by popular
vote; election last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA
November 1996); results - Kuniwo NAKAMURA 50.7%, Johnson TORIBIONG
49.3%
cabinet: Cabinet

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or
OEK)
Senate: elections last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA
November 1996); r