Palau 2002

In 2002, the Republic of Palau was a small island nation located in the western Pacific Ocean. It consisted of around 300 islands, with a total population of around 20,000 people. The majority of the population (about 97%) was Christian and the official language was Palauan. The capital city of Ngerulmud had many government buildings, as well as a few tourist attractions such as the Belau National Museum and Etpison Museum.

According to computerannals, the economy of Palau in 2002 was largely based on fishing, subsistence agriculture and tourism. Fishing accounted for around 25% of GDP, while tourism had begun to develop as well; visitors were drawn to Palau’s stunning coral reefs and unique underwater life. Manufacturing also played an important role in the economy; by 2002 it accounted for around 15% of GDP. The government had invested heavily in infrastructure over recent years; by 2002 there were more than 2,500 kilometers of roads throughout the country connecting major cities with rural areas.

Yearbook 2002

Palau. New tough legislation to counter illegal fishing on Palau’s waters was introduced in the spring. According to Countryaah website, national day of Palau1 is every October. Foreign fishing vessels that violate the law are liable to a fine of up to one million dollars.

Palau Border Countries Map

A local airline, Palau Rock Island Air, was granted permission to begin operations in the fall. The first international flights were expected to start in early 2003. Until then, traffic was handled with a plane.

Palau Country Overview

Visas and admission
Finnish citizen does not need a visa for return to Palau for a trip of less than 90 days. The passport must be valid for 6 months after leaving the country.

Insurance
Every person participating in the trip must have a valid travel insurance that covers medical expenses in the event of illness or other similar need. Please check the validity of your own insurance and the terms and conditions of the insurance cancellation cover.

Please pay attention to the special nature of your trip and check the coverage of the insurance in that respect as well.

Many dive trips require more extensive insurance. Please check the contents of your insurance with your insurance company.

Currency: The currency of Palau is the dollar (USD). € 1 = about $ 1.12.

Vaccinations
Check that your basic vaccinations are valid (tetanus, polio and diphtheria and MPR). Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended for the trip.

Always check the vaccination requirements at the health center or the Vaccination Advice of the Tourist Clinic

Time difference
7 hours

Electric current
The electric current is 120 V / 60 Hz. Sockets are similar to, for example, the United States and Canada.

Safety
We stay in safe areas during our trip, but general caution within common sense is desirable throughout the trip.

For more information on traveling in the country, visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

HISTORY

Independent since 1994, following the definitive acceptance of the Pact of Free Association with the United States, the small oceanic state was still characterized at the beginning of the 21st century. by the absence of organized political parties and the consequent management of power by a ruling class aggregated mainly around charismatic leaders. The main field of political confrontation in recent years became the fight against corruption and the revival of the economy, the weakness of which made the country largely dependent on US aid.

The new president, T. Remengesau, elected in November 2000 with 52 % of the votes, placed the creation of infrastructures to strengthen the tourism sector, the fight against corruption and greater transparency in the management of public finances at the center of his program, and he created a special control body on the activity of the state administration, whose action led to the denunciation of numerous abuses. Opposed by many members of Parliament, Remengesau nevertheless managed to obtain broad support from public opinion and thus returned to being re-elected in the presidential consultations held in November 2004, in which he won 65 % of the votes.

At the same time as the elections, a referendum was held for the approval of some constitutional amendments, already proposed in 2001 by Remengesau to Parliament, but on which no agreement could be found. The proposal was approved to allow dual citizenship, of Palau and the United States, and to reduce the mandate of deputies, the terms of their re-election and to put a limit on their salaries. Instead, the proposal for the modification of the Parliament in a unicameral sense, supported by the president to reduce bureaucracy, was rejected.

During 2005 and 2006, relations between Parliament and Remengesau remained tense and the latter’s attempts to expand presidential powers encountered severe obstacles.