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Palau: Quick Facts

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Last updated

News •

Palau resists China to stand with Taipei: Lai • Oct. 18, 2026, 12:00 PM ET (Taipei Times)

Facts

Also Known As Republic of Palau • Belau • Belu’u er a Belau • Pelew
Head Of State And Government President: Surangel Whipps, Jr.
Capital Melekeok, on Babelthuap1
Population (2026 est.) 17,600
Form Of Government republic with two legislative houses (Senate [13]; House of Delegates [16])
Official Languages Palauan; English
Official Religion none
Official Name Beluu er a Belau (Palauan); Republic of Palau (English)
Total Area (Sq Km) 488
Total Area (Sq Mi) 188
Monetary Unit U.S. dollar (U.S.$)
Population Rank (2026) 220
Population Projection 2030 18,700
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 93.6
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 36.1
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2020) 77.9% • Rural: (2020) 22.1%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: 0 years • Female: 0 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2023) 262
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2023) 14,780
1Ngerulmud capitol complex is located in the national capital of Melekeok.

Photos

Palau
Map of Palau showing its main islands, political boundaries, and major cities including Melekeok, Koror, Airai, Meyungs, and Klouklubed. The map highlights Palau's location in the western Pacific Ocean, with insets providing regional and global locator maps for context.
rock islands in Palau
Map of the western Pacific Ocean highlighting Palau in orange near the equator, just east of the Philippines and north of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The map shows surrounding island nations and territories, including Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and other Pacific islands, with country and territory names and boundaries labeled.
Melekeok
Map of Palau showing its main islands, physical features, and highest point, Ngerecheluus at 242 meters. The map includes surrounding reefs and the Pacific Ocean, with insets locating Palau within the Caroline Islands and the broader region of Southeast Asia.
Koror marina
Palau: capitol complex
traditional Palauan bai
Etpison Museum
National anthem of Palau
See All Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics

Related Places

Map of the Pacific Ocean showing depth contours in varying shades of blue, major submarine features such as trenches, ridges, and basins labeled throughout the ocean, and neighboring landmasses including Asia, Australia, North and South America. Principal cities along the Pacific rim and island groups are marked, along with international boundaries.
Pacific Ocean
body of water
Ifalik, Micronesia: fishermen
Caroline Islands
archipelago, Pacific Ocean
Philippine Sea
Philippine Sea
sea, Pacific Ocean
Political map of Australia and Oceania showing Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and numerous Pacific island nations and territories. Countries and territories such as Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Kiribati are labeled, along with territories administered by the United States, United Kingdom, France, and New Zealand. Surrounding bodies of water, including the Pacific Ocean, Coral Sea, and Tasman Sea, are also marked.
Oceania
region, Pacific Ocean
Melekeok, Palau
Melekeok
national capital, Palau
Melekeok
Babelthuap
island, Palau
bai
Koror
island, Palau
Map of the Pacific Ocean showing the boundaries of the former United States Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which includes present-day Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and Marshall Islands. Neighboring island nations and territories such as Hawaii, Midway, American Samoa, French Polynesia, and Papua New Guinea are also labeled for geographic context.
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
former United States territory, Pacific Ocean

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