Palau — map and facts

About Palau

Palau is an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, part of the Micronesian region, lying approximately 800 kilometres east of the Philippines and 1,000 kilometres north of western New Guinea. The capital is Ngerulmud, located on the island of Babeldaob, though the largest city and commercial centre is Koror. The population is approximately 18,000 people, making Palau one of the smallest nations in the world by population. Palau entered into a Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1994, gaining full independence while maintaining close defence and economic ties with the United States. The country consists of approximately 340 islands, the majority uninhabited. The economy depends heavily on tourism, fisheries, and United States financial assistance. Palau is internationally renowned for its extraordinary marine environment, including the famous Jellyfish Lake on Eil Malk island, and has designated large portions of its surrounding waters as marine protected areas.

Geography and Landscape

Palau's main island group consists of the Palau archipelago, dominated by Babeldaob, the largest island in Micronesia after Guam, and the Rock Islands, a collection of approximately 250 limestone and coral islets rising dramatically from the turquoise lagoon. The Rock Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for their distinctive mushroom-shaped formations, forested tops, and numerous marine lakes. Babeldaob features volcanic and hilly terrain with freshwater streams and extensive mangrove coastlines. The archipelago is surrounded by one of the most biodiverse coral reef systems in the world, part of the broader Coral Triangle. The climate is tropical, hot and humid year-round, with heavy and relatively consistent rainfall. Palau lies outside the main typhoon belt but does experience occasional tropical storms. Coral reefs, drop-offs, and warm, clear waters attract divers from around the world.

History

Palau has been inhabited for approximately 4,000 years, originally settled by migrants from Southeast Asia. The indigenous Palauan culture developed a sophisticated system of governance, society, and artistry, expressed through traditional meeting houses known as bai. The first recorded European contact was made by Spanish explorers in the sixteenth century, and Palau was formally claimed by Spain in 1886. Following Spain's defeat in the Spanish-American War of 1898, Spain sold the Caroline Islands, including Palau, to Germany. Japan occupied Palau during World War One and administered it under a League of Nations mandate, developing infrastructure and bringing significant Japanese settlement. During World War Two, Palau was the site of fierce fighting, most notably the Battle of Peleliu in 1944, one of the bloodiest engagements of the Pacific campaign. After the war, Palau became part of the United States Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Independence was achieved in 1994 through the Compact of Free Association.