International organization participation: ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO,
ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA chancery: 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. HUBBARD (resident in Manila); Charge d'Affaires Allen E. NUGENT embassy: address NA, Koror mailing address: P.O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
Flag description: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The population enjoys a per capita income of more than twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific and the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$160 million (1997 est.) note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
GDP—real growth rate: 10% (1997 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$8,800 (1997 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%