Palau

Palau flag

Palau is the western-most archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War Two battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands.

AREA: Total: 458 sq km
POPULATION: 20,016 (July 2004 est.)
LANGUAGES: English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official)
ETHNIC GROUPS: Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70%, Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.)
LITERACY LEVELS: Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
- Total population: 92%
- Male: 93%
- Female: 90% (1980 est.)

Palau map