Long-form name: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (no short-form name); may change to Republic of Palau after independence; note--Belau, the native form of Palau, is sometimes used

Type: UN trusteeship administered by the US; constitutional government signed a Compact of Free Association with the US on 10 January 1986, after approval in a series of UN-observed plebiscites; until the UN trusteeship is terminated with entry into force of the Compact, Palau remains under US administration as the Palau District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

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

Administrative divisions: none

Independence: still part of the US-administered UN trusteeship (the last polity remaining under the trusteeship; the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas have left); administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of Interior

Constitution: 11 January 1981

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

National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)

Executive branch: US president, US vice president, national president, national vice president

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or OEK) consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Delegates

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Leaders: Chief of State--President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); represented by the Assistant Secretary for Territorial Affairs, US Department of the Interior, Stella GUERRA (since NA July 1989); Head of Government--President Ngiratkel ETPISON (since 2 November 1988)

Political parties: no formal parties

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Elections: President--last held on 2 November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); Ngiratkel ETPISON 26.3%, Roman TMETUCHL 25.9%, Thomas REMENGESAU 19.5%, other 28.3%; Senate--last held 2 November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(18 total); House of Delegates--last held 2 November 1988 (next to be held November 1992); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(16 total)

Member of: ESCAP (associate), SPC, SPF (observer)

Diplomatic representation: none; US--US Liaison Officer Lloyd MOSS
US Liaison Office at Top Side, Neeriyas, Koror (mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940); telephone 160-680-920 or 990

Flag: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side

NOTE: The information regarding Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the on this page is re-published from the 1991 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Government 1991 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Government 1991 should be addressed to the CIA.