Tommy Remengesau, Jr.
President

(pronounced "TAH-mee reh-MEN-geh-so")

"As a newly sovereign nation, Palau, in only eight years under the Compact of Free Association, has taken great steps to solidify its new independent status through significant development accomplishments."

The Republic of Palau (pronounced "pull-OW"), is a collection of six island groups located in the western reaches of Oceania about 800 km (500 mi) east of the Philippines and 966 km (600 mi) north of Indonesia. Almost 350 islands form this Micronesian archipelago, but most are tiny and sparsely populated or uninhabited. The Rock Islands, a chain of about 300 small, low-lying coral islands, are known around the world for their great natural beauty. The main island of Babeldaob is the second-largest island in Micronesia after Guam. Distinguished by its high mountainous terrain, Babeldaob accounts for 396 sq km (153 sq mi) of Palau's total land area of 458 sq km...