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Palau


  • Vicinity: Western Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
  • Official Name: Republic of Palau
  • Type: Nation
  • Capital: Ngerulmud
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Terrestrial Feature

In 1944 the islands and atolls that make up Palau became part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), a United Nations Trust Territory administered by the United States of America. Palau obtained independence in October 1, 1994. During this trusteeship, notable places of interest where placed on the US National Registry of Historic Places (NRHP).

The various national versions of the reality television show, Survivor, have used the islands of Palau as their location, including the US tenth season, Survivor: Palau. - AsNotedIn


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Highlights

Archipelago

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Palau
PlaceTypeAsNotedInArea
PlaceTypeAsNotedInArea
Airai Place
Ameliik Place
Koror Island Island
Melekeiok Place
Ngermecheluch Place
Peleliu Island Island
Rock Islands Southern Lagoon Atoll Lagoon
  • 1000 P
  • WHL
Sonsorol Islands Archipelago

Geography »

Geography

The Republic of Palau consists of eight principal islands and more than 250 smaller ones lying roughly 500 miles southeast of the Philippines. The islands of Palau constitute part of the Caroline Islands chain.

About 64% of Palauans live in Koror State's capital city, Koror. (Note: Government offices are located in a new National Capitol Building complex located at Ngerulmud, Melekeok State.) - US State Dept

Physiographic Data
Highest Point: Mount Ngerchelchuus: 242 m
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean: 0 m
Area: 458 sq km

Information »

Briefly

The Republic of Palau is a constitutional democracy with a population of approximately 18000 people. Upon independence in 1994, Palau entered into a 50-year Compact of Free Association with the United States. Palau is an archipelago consisting of several hundred volcanic and limestone islands and coral atolls, only several of which are inhabited. Palau is politically divided into 16 states. Palau's developing economy depends on tourism, marine resources, and a relatively minor agricultural sector. Taxis are the main means of public transportation. Palau International Airport is located on Babeldaob Island, over a bridge from Koror. There is direct commercial air service to Palau from Manila, Taipei, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul and Guam. - US State Department, 16 May 2013

Currency

The official currency of Palau is the US dollar. Major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, are accepted in most locations catering to tourists. There are several ATMs in Koror at the branches of local US banks. - US State Department, May 11, 2012

Location

Group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines - The World Factbook

Data »

Particulars for Palau:
Locale Type Nation
Historic Use Natural Feature
Sight Category Terrestrial Feature

Data
Currency: US Dollar
Demonym: Palauan
Government: Democratic Republic
Population: 20000


Vicinage »

VicinageTypeAsNotedIn
Aimeliik State Palauan State
Airai State Palauan State
Angaur State Palauan State
Hatohobei State Palauan State
Kayangel State Palauan State
Koror State Palauan State
Melekeok State Palauan State
Ngaraard State Palauan State
Ngarchelong State Palauan State
Ngardmau State Palauan State
Ngaremlengui State Palauan State
Ngatpang State Palauan State
Ngchesar State Palauan State
Ngiwal State Palauan State
Peleliu State Palauan State
Sonsorol State Palauan State

Map »

Palau

Palau

History »

History

Palau was initially settled more than 4,000 years ago, probably by migrants from what today is Indonesia. British traders became prominent visitors in the 18th century, followed by expanding Spanish influence in the 19th century. Following its defeat in the Spanish-American War, Spain sold Palau and most of the rest of the Caroline Islands to Germany in 1899. Control passed to Japan in 1914 and then to the United States under United Nations auspices in 1947 as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Four of the Trust Territory districts formed a single federated Micronesian state in 1979, but this eventually dissolved as the individual districts--long culturally distinct--opted for more locally popular status. Palau approved a new constitution in 1981, subsequently signing a Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1982. After eight referenda and an amendment to the Palauan constitution, the Compact went into effect on October 1, 1994, marking Palau's emergence from trusteeship to independence. - US State Dept

After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence. - The World Factbook

Activities »

Palau is best known for its spectacular dive sites, especially between Koror and Peleliu, which can be explored regardless of skill level. Dive spots offer a variety of marine exploration from the tranquil JellyFish Lake and shallow reefs to expert tunnels, drop-offs and channels. - AsNotedIn


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