Page 48 - Micronesia
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he United States Coast Guard patrols in two-thirds of the population lives on Koror. 2013 Pacific typhoon season. A manda-
The coral atoll of Kayangel is north of tory evacuation was issued for Kayangel. A
T national waters. As a sovereign nation, storm surge damaged several houses.
Palau conducts its own foreign relations. these islands, while the uninhabited Rock
W hile much of Palau remains free of
Since independence, Palau has established Islands (about 200) are west of the main environmental degradation, areas of
concern include illegal dynamite fishing,
diplomatic relations with a number of na- island group. A remote group of six islands, inadequate solid waste disposal facilities in
Koror and extensive sand and coral dredg-
tions, including many of its Pacific neigh- known as the Southwest Islands, some 375 ing in the Palau lagoon. As with other Pa-
cific island nations, rising sea level presents
bors. Palau was admitted to the United Na- miles (604 km) from the main islands, make a major environmental threat. Inundation
of low-lying areas threatens coastal vegeta-
tions on 15 December 1994 and has since up the states of Hatohobei and Sonsorol. tion, agriculture and already-insufficient
water supply. Wastewater treatment is a
joined several other international organiza- problem, along with the handling of toxic
tions. In international politics, Palau often waste from fertilizers and biocides.
alau has a tropical climate with an
Pvotes with the United States with respect to annual mean temperature of 82 °F (28
United Nations General Assembly resolu- °C). Rainfall is heavy throughout the year,
tions. averaging 150 inches (3,800 mm). The aver-
P alau’s most populous islands are An- age humidity is 82% and although rain falls
gaur, Babeldaob, Koror and Peleliu. The more frequently between July and October,
there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are
latter three lie together within the same rare, as Palau is outside the main typhoon
barrier reef, while Angaur is an oceanic zone. The most recent typhoon that struck
island several miles to the south. About Palau was Typhoon Haiyan during the