Palau

The Republic of Palau with its main island Babeldaob (Babelthuap), is an island nation in the northern Pacific Ocean, located some 700 km east of the Philippines, perched on the Kyushu-Palau Ridge. The westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands consists of 20 large islands and 566 smaller islands and is one of the world's youngest and least populated nations.
After 47 years as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), under US administration, Palau (Belau) 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.

related countries: Federated States of Micronesia

other Micronesian island nations: Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands