Environment-current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment-international agreements: party to: Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography-note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain
@Palau:People
Population: 18,110 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 27% (male 2,555; female 2,405) 15-64 years: 68% (male 6,727; female 5,535) 65 years and over: 5% (male 416; female 472) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.96% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 21.26 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Net migration rate: 6.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)