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Travel Palau

Official Name of Palau: Republic of Palau
Government type in Palau: constitutional government in free association with the US
Capital of Palau: Koror (a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror )
Primary Language in Palau: English and Palauan
Currency in Palau: US dollar

After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year, when the islands gained independence. Westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands.