Flag of Palau

After three decades under the administration of the United States, mandated by the United Nations, this group of islands forming the western part of the Carolinas archipelago (Micronesia) opted for independence in 1978, rather than joining the Federated States of Micronesia.

A free association agreement with the United States was approved in 1986, but was not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence effective.