FACTS

Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines

Area (only Total: 458 sq km

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

Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs

Population: 21,093 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Palauan

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

Capital (Name): Melekeok

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+9

Independence: 1 October 1994

National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July