Jun
17
Palau – A Brief (Revised) Introduction
Posted by Keith on June 17, 2007 at 5:20 am
Palau is a single-island nation about 450 miles east of The Philippines.
Here are some statistics offered by Dermot Keane, Manager of Sam’s Tours, on Palau:
Palau Population 2006 per Palau Min. of Health: Total: 19,907
5,469 Non-Palauan = 27%
5,152 below 15 years old
13,619 between 16 and 64 years old
1,136 Palauans over 65
Annual growth is 1.3
Life Expectancy: M = 68.08; F = 75.95
ENGLISH SPEAKING: Almost everyone speaks English except some senior citizens.
This spectacularly beautiful island nation has a land mass (a series of islands in close proximity) of 177- square-miles.
Palau’s modern history is similar to that of The Marshall Islands and Micronesia: Domination by Spanish and German explorers, then the Japanese, administration by the U.S. as a trust territory, and ultimate independence as a constitutional democracy in free association with the U.S.
In exchange for the right to maintain a military presence there, the U.S. pays substantial subsidies to the nation.
However, Palau differs significantly from The Marshall Islands and Micronesia in one important respect: Proximity to the Philippines and Asia. Renowned as one of the world’s best diving locations, Paula has built a substantial tourism industry. As a result, its per capita gross domestic product, while still low at $9,000 per year, is more than four times that of The Marshall Islands or Micronesia.
A gentleman named Tommy Remengesau is the President.
The official currency there is the U.S. dollar.
More later…
–Keith
Comments
3 Comments so far
Hi Keith,
Just checking out your site. Very nice!
Few minor corrections on your Palau piece…if you haven’t already heard…
POPULATION:
Palau Population 2006 per Palau Min.of Health:
Total: 19,907
5,469 Non-Palauan = 27%
5,152 below 15 years old
13,619 between 16 and 64 years old
1,136 Palauans over 65
Annual growth is 1.3
Life Expectancy:
M = 68.08;
F = 75.95
ENGLISH SPEAKING:
Don’t have official stats but almost everyone speaks English except some senior citizens. Perhaps only 9% don’t speak English.
Pleasure having your here in Palau and I’ll add your RSS feed to my browser and follow your journey.
Safe Sailing!
Dermot Keane
Sam’s Tours
NOTE: I have already incorporated all of Dermot’s information into my June 17 “Palau — An Introduction” dispatch. You may find it in my blog column. Thanks, Dermot.
–Keith
Hi Keith ,
Congratulations your successful completion of PADI Open Water Diver Certification Course today at Sam’s Tours Palau!
We welcome you to the underwater world and hope that you have the opportunity to enjoy as many underwater adventures as you do exciting ocean passages in the months ahead on board The Global Adventure.
Let’s go diving!
Dermot Keane
General Manager
Sam’s Tours Palau
PADI 5 Star National Geographic Dive Center
YAHOO! After six dives, a tricky final exam, and three grueling days, I have earned my scuba diving certification! It was well worth the effort! Thanks, Dermot.
–Keith
Hi Keith,
Congratulations on earning your diving certification! Is it really as beautiful there as I’ve been told?
Dixie
DIXIE,
It’s even “beautifuller” than you’ve been told!
Keith