29 Facts About Palau

Palau is a Pacific island nation in the western Pacific Ocean and part of the Micronesia region.

It is an archipelago of more than 500 islands grouped into several island chains.

Koror was the former capital and remains the country’s main commercial and population center.

The current capital, Ngerulmud, is located on Babeldaob, the largest island, which also contains most of Palau’s mountains, rivers, and farmland.

Ancient stone structures called the Badrulchau monoliths stand in grassy fields on Babeldaob and are among the most important archaeological sites in Palau.

Palau is one of the smallest sovereign countries in the world by population.

The first settlers are believed to have arrived from Southeast Asia around 2500 BCE and developed fishing, farming, and complex clan-based social systems.

The first recorded European contact occurred in 1783 when British captain Henry Wilson was shipwrecked near the islands.

Over the next two centuries, Palau came under Spanish, German, Japanese, and American control.

During World War II, Palau was occupied by Japan and later liberated by US forces in the Battle of Peleliu in 1944, one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War.

After the war, Palau became part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands administered by the United States.

Palau gained full independence in 1994 under a Compact of Free Association with the United States, which remains responsible for its defense.

Palau does not maintain a standing military force.

In 2017, Palau became the first country to require visitors to sign an environmental pledge stamped into their passports, promising to protect nature during their stay.

Tourists also receive environmental guidelines explaining how to avoid damaging reefs and wildlife.

In 2020, Palau banned sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs in order to protect marine ecosystems.

Jellyfish Lake is a marine lake famous for its millions of stingless jellyfish that migrate daily following the sun.

Palau is known as the “underwater Serengeti” because of its exceptional marine biodiversity and world-class scuba diving.

In 2009, Palau created the world’s first national shark sanctuary by banning commercial shark fishing in its waters.

The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon is Palau’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and consists of hundreds of uninhabited limestone islands surrounded by coral reefs and turquoise lagoons.

Many of the Rock Islands have distinctive mushroom-like shapes formed by erosion.

Palau’s flag features a light blue background with an off-center yellow circle representing the moon, which is culturally linked to fishing and agriculture cycles.

The Milky Way lagoon in the Rock Islands is famous for its pale mud, traditionally used in natural skin treatments.

Saltwater crocodiles live in Palau’s mangrove areas, though attacks on humans are rare.

The Badrulchau monoliths are sometimes called the “Easter Island of Micronesia” and consist of large stone pillars carved with human features.

Palau has a single national prison, where selected inmates carve traditional wooden storyboards that are sold to visitors.

Palau is a low-lying country vulnerable to sea-level rise caused by climate change, with its highest point reaching about 242 meters above sea level.

The country’s economy depends heavily on tourism, especially diving and eco-tourism.

Fishing and small-scale agriculture remain important to local livelihoods.

Traditional Palauan society is matrilineal, meaning land and titles pass through the mother’s line.

Clan identity plays a central role in politics, land ownership, and social life.

Bai, or traditional men’s meeting houses, are important community structures decorated with carved storyboards depicting legends and history.

Palau’s marine waters contain hundreds of coral species and over a thousand species of fish.

The country is recognized as a global leader in marine conservation and environmental policy.