Palau is a small island nation located in the western Pacific Ocean, about 500 miles east of the Philippines. It is made up of over 340 islands, with a combined land area of just 180 square miles. The population of Palau is approximately 18,000 people, and the official languages are Palauan and English.

Palau is a presidential representative democratic republic, with a President who is both the head of state and the head of government. Its economy is based on tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. The Palauan government has declared its waters a shark sanctuary, and it is one of the few countries to have taken such a step to protect the marine environment.

Palau has a rich and diverse culture, with a long history of traditional arts and crafts, music, and dance. The traditional Palauan belief system is centered on respect for ancestors and spirits, and traditional values such as communal living and cooperation are still highly valued today.

Palau is home to some of the world's most stunning natural attractions, including the famous Rock Islands, which are a group of over 300 uninhabited limestone islands and coral reefs that form a unique ecosystem. The waters around Palau are also home to a wide variety of marine life, including sharks, dolphins, and many species of fish and coral.

Telephone Code
680

Local Emergency Phone
911

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever and cholera is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever and cholera transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever and cholera transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Currency (Code)
US Dollar is used (USD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B

Major Languages
Palauan, other Micronesian, English, Filipino, Chinese

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 45.3%, Protestant 34.9% (includes Evangelical, Seventh Day Adventist, Assembly of God, Baptist), Modekngei 5.7% Palau), Muslim 3%, Mormon 1.5%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Ngerulmud; Jellyfish Lake; Rock Islands; Clear Lake; Lake Ngardok; Peleliu War Museum

Major Sports
Soccer, volleyball, basketball

Cultural Practices
Unlike in western countries where raised eyebrows often signal confusion, in Palau they are taken to mean agreement.

Tipping Guidelines
Tip 10-15% of the bill in restaurants and $5 (USD) per tank when diving.

Souvenirs
Woven baskets, mats, and straw hats; shell jewelry, wood-carved storyboards and figurines, spices, flower-based body products

Traditional Cuisine
Tinola — soup made with chicken, green papaya, and ginger

Geography
Area
total: 459 sq km
land: 459 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November

Natural resources
forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals

People and Society
Population
21,779 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 73%, Carolinian 2%, Asian 21.7%, Caucasian 1.2%, other 2.1% (2015 est.)

Languages
Palauan (official on most islands) 65.2%, other Micronesian 1.9%, English (official) 19.1%, Filipino 9.9%, Chinese 1.2%, other 2.8% (2015 est.)

Religions
Roman Catholic 45.3%, Protestant 34.9% (includes Evangelical 26.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.9%, Assembly of God .9%, Baptist .7%), Modekngei 5.7% (indigenous to Palau), Muslim 3%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.5%, other 9.7% (2015 est.)

Population growth rate
0.39% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic in free association with the US

Capital
name: Ngerulmud

Economy
Economic overview
high-income Pacific island economy; major subsistence agriculture and fishing industries; reliant on US aid; strong tourism has prompted sustainability oversight mechanism; severely disrupted by COVID-19

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$248.468 million (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$13,800 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
coconuts, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish, pigs, chickens, eggs, bananas, papaya, breadfruit, calamansi, soursop, Polynesian chestnuts, Polynesian almonds, mangoes, taro, guava, beans, cucumbers, squash/pumpkins (various), eggplant, green onions, kangkong (watercress), cabbages (various), radishes, betel nuts, melons, peppers, noni, okra

Industries
tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture

Exports
$12.07 million (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Japan 70%, South Korea 15%, United States 7% (2019)

Exports - commodities
fish, computers, broadcasting equipment, office machinery/parts, scrap vessels (2019)

Imports
$180.38 million (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
South Korea 19%, China 18%, Taiwan 17%, United States 17%, Japan 16% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fish, cars, broadcasting equipment, modeling instruments (2019)