Palau

Overview

Palau is an island nation in the western Pacific, east of the Philippines, made up of about 340 islands, only a few of which are inhabited. The country was administered successively by Germany, Japan, and then the United States under a UN mandate during the 20th century, gaining independence in 1994; since then it has maintained a Compact of Free Association with the United States, which provides defense and financial support in exchange for military access to the region. The official languages are English and Palauan, and the official currency is the U.S. dollar. Palau is internationally recognized as a pioneer in marine conservation, having established the world's first shark sanctuary in its territorial waters in 2009.

Koror, Palau's former capital and largest town, serves as the country's commercial and tourism hub, from which most islands and reefs are accessible. Ngerulmud, the current official capital on Babeldaob Island, is a relatively small, purpose-built administrative center that replaced Koror in this role in 2006. The Rock Islands and their adjoining southern lagoon, about 445 small, mushroom-shaped limestone islands carved by the sea over thousands of years, have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2012. Jellyfish Lake, a saltwater lake cut off from the sea on Eil Malk Island, is home to millions of golden jellyfish that have lost their sting, observable up close through snorkeling.

Palau's coral reefs, part of the "Coral Triangle," rank among the richest marine biodiversity regions in the world, with diving central to the country's tourism, including well-known sites such as Blue Corner, where strong currents attract sharks and other large marine creatures. WWII shipwrecks and aircraft wrecks, sunk in Palau's waters during a significant clash point of the Pacific theater, also make the country an important destination for wreck-diving enthusiasts. The rainforests of Babeldaob Island, with waterfalls and traditional Palauan villages, are the main destinations for inland ecotourism. Local cuisine is built around fish and taro, with fresh fish dishes, often prepared with coconut milk and local vegetables, as signature items, while bat soup, though of debated reputation, is regarded as a traditional Palauan specialty.