Palau

Rock Islands, Palau
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Palau-rock-islands20071222.jpg
Author: Peter R Binter


Palau is an island republic on the western part of the Pacific Ocean. It is located to the east of the Philippines, to the south of Japan, and to the north of West Papua, Indonesia. It covers 459 sq km (177 sq mi) and has a population of about 21,000 (2011 estimate). Its capital is Melekeok while its biggest city is Koror.

Palau is nine hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+9). Traffic is driven on the right here. The US dollar is used as the official currency. The phone IDD code is +680. The electricity here is 120V/60Hz using North American plug.

Jellyfish Lake of Palau
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jellyfish_Lake_aerial_%28March_2008%29.jpg
Author: Lukas


Geographically, Palau comprises sixteen main islands, the major ones being Angaur, Babeldaob, Koror and Peleliu. The most populous island is Koror, which is home to two-thirds of the population. The country experiences a tropical climate with only minor variation in temperature throughout the year, averaging around 28°C (82°F). The wet season is from July to October, and unlike many Pacific nations, it is rarely hit by typhoons.

Palau was historically known as the Black Islands. It has been inhabited for thousands of years when Europeans first arrived there in the 18th century. It was a colony of Spain until 1899, when it was sold to Germany. Administration of the islands then passed to Japan in 1914.

The Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge between Koror and Babeldaob, Palau
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japan-Palau_Friendship_Bridge_2.JPG
Author: Abasaa


After the defeat of Japan in the Second World War, Palau was taken over by the United States. In 1947 it became the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. The road towards independence began in 1978, when Palau opted out of the Federation of Micronesia It became fully independent in 1994. Today it is one of the youngest and smallest countries within the United Nations.

The 2008 estimate GDP of Palau at purchasing power parity was $164 million, equivalent to a per capita GDP of $8,100. Traditional an economy based on agriculture and fishing, today Palau's economy is shifting towards greater emphasis on tourism. The country has a number of diving spots such as barrier reefs and World War II wrecks that attract divers and snorkellers from around the world. The island is also working towards becoming an offshore financial center.

Belau National Museum, Palau
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BNM_Bai_1.JPG
Author: Abasaa

Planning your visit to Palau

Visitors from the United States do not need a visa while visitors from most other countries are given a free 30-day tourist visa upon arrival. The only international airport in the Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR), located north of Airai on Babelthuap Island. The airport receives regular flights from Guam, Manila, Seoul and Tokyo.

Badrulchau Stone Monoliths, Palau
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Badrulchau_Stone_Monoliths_5.JPG
Author: Abasaa

Major Cities in Palau

Places of Interest in Palau

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About this website

Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.