Palau, Republic of, republic in the western Pacific Ocean, made up of about 200 of the Caroline Islands. The group includes the islands of Koror (the administrative centre), Babelthuap (the largest island, 137 sq km/53 sq mi), Arakabesan, Malakal, and Peleliu, totalling about 495 sq km (191 sq mi) in land area, and spread in a chain about 650 km (400 mi) long. The islands are of mixed formation: some of volcanic origin, some coral. The highest point is 628 m (2,061 ft) on Koror. The capital is currently on Koror, but a new capital is being built in eastern Babelthuap. The inhabitants are of mixed Malay, Melanesian, Filipino, and Polynesian descent. Palau has a population (1996 official estimate) of 17,000, giving an average density of 34 people per sq km (88 per sq mi). Life expectancy in 1996 was 71 years.