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Palau Government

What is the capital of Palau?

Country Name Palau
Full Country Name Republic of Palau
Local - Long Beluu er a Belau
Local - Short Belau
Former Name Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau Districts)
Etymology- history of name from the Palauan name for the islands, Belau, which likely derives from the Palauan word "beluu" meaning "village"
Government Type presidential republic in free association with the US
Capital Name Ngerulmud
Capital - geographic coordinate 7 30 N, 134 37 E
Capital Time Difference UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Independence 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National Holiday Constitution Day, 9 July (1981), day of a national referendum to pass the new constitution; Independence Day, 1 October (1994)
Constitution ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981; amended 1992, 2004, 2008

Palau Capital City Map

Source: Google Maps

Palau Government and Politics

Who is the president of Palau?

Executive Branch: chief of state: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Raynold OILUCH (since 19 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Tommy REMENGESAU (since 17 January 2013); Vice President Raynold OILUCH (since 19 January 2017)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate; also includes the vice president; the Council of Chiefs consists of chiefs from each of the states who advise the president on issues concerning traditional laws, customs, and their relationship to the constitution and laws of Palau

elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on separate ballots by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 1 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020)

election results: Tommy REMENGESAU reelected president; percent of vote - Tommy REMENGESAU (independent) 51.3%, Surangel WHIPPS, Jr.(independent) 48.7%; Raynold OILUCH elected vice president
Citizenship Criteria: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Palau

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: note - no procedure for naturalization
Legal System: mixed legal system of civil, common, and customary law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legislative Branch: description: bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau consists of:

Senate (13 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms)

House of Delegates (16 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms)

elections:

Senate - last held on 1 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020)

House of Delegates - last held on 1 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020)

election results:

Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 13; composition - men 11, women 2, percent of women 15.4%

House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 16; composition - men 14, women 2, percent of women 12.5%; note - total National Congress percent of women 13.8%
Judicial Branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 3 associate justices organized into appellate trial divisions; also within the Supreme Court organization are the Common Pleas and Land Courts)

judge selection and term of office: justices nominated by a 7-member independent body consisting of judges, presidential appointees, and lawyers, and appointed by the president; judges appointed until mandatory retirement at age 65

subordinate courts: National Court and other 'inferior' courts
Regions or States: 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Political Parties and Leaders: none
International Law Organization Participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
International Organization Participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic Representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997)

chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814

FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281

consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic Representation from US: chief of mission: Ambassador Helen P. REED-ROWE (since 27 September 2013)

embassy: Koror (no street address)

mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Koror, Republic of Palau 96940

telephone: [680] 587-2920

FAX: [680] 587-2911
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