s
male: 69.14 years
female: 73.02 years (1995 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.85 children born/woman (1995 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)
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90%

Labor force: NA
by occupation: NA

@Palau:Government

Names:
conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

Digraph: PS

Type: self-governing territory in free association with the US
pursuant to Compact of Free Association which entered into force 1
October 1994; Palau is fully responsible for internal affairs; US
retains responsibility for external affairs

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), Vice-President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since
1 January 1993); election last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held
NA November 1996); results - Kuniwo NAKAMURA 50.7%, Johnson TORIBIONG
49.3%

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