The Republic of Palau is an island nation situated in the western region of the Pacific, about 800 kilometres east of the Philippines. With a total land surface area of just over 450 square kilometres, it is among the smallest of nations in the world. The topography of the region varies from the high volcanic mountains of the main island of Babelthuap to low coral atolls, providing a home for the population of approximately 21,000 people.

Palau has a small but diverse economy with the main industries being fishing, shell-fish production, tourism and subsistence farming. It is very reliant upon food and equipment from its trading partners, the largest by far being the United States of America (US).

Since the nation entered into a Compact of Free Association with the US in 1986, it has benefitted from the provision of military defence, substantial aid and privileges of entry for its citizens to live and work into the US and a number of other key services. In return, the US is permitted to operate military bases in the region.

While Palauan is the official language of education and trade on most of the islands, Sonsoralese, English, Tobi, Anguar, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Carolinian, Japanese and other languages are also spoken in varying amounts on differing islands. The region is predominantly Christian, with Roman Catholicism being the most widely accepted and attended church and association with Protestant churches the next most common.

Palau has a bicameral parliament loosely based on the US model. The leader of the government is the President, supported by the Vice-President.