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Coordinates: 7°20′59″N, 134°30′35″E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... For other uses, see Palau (disambiguation). Republic of Palau Flag Coat of arms Anthem: Belau loba klisiich er a kelulul Capital Melekeok1 7°21′N, 134°28′E Largest city Koror Official languages English, Palauan, Japanese (in Angaur) Demonym Palauan Government Constitutional government in free association with the USA  -  President Tommy Remengesau Independence from UN Trust Territory   -  Date October 1, 1994  Area  -  Total 459 km² (195th) 177 sq mi   -  Water (%) negligible Population  -  July 2007 estimate 20,842 (217th)  -  Density 43/km² (155th) 111/sq mi GDP (PPP) 2006 estimate  -  Total $157.7 million² (not ranked)  -  Per capita $10,000 (2006 est.) (not ranked) HDI (2003) n/a (unranked) (n/a) Currency US Dollar (USD) Time zone (UTC+9) Internet TLD .pw Calling code +680 1 On 7 October 2006, government officials moved their offices in the former capital of Koror to Melekeok, located 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Koror on Babelthaup Island. ² GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2004 est.) Palau (pronounced /pəˈlaʊ/), officially the Republic of Palau (Palauan: Beluu er a Belau), is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, some 500 miles (800 km) east of the Philippines and 2000 miles (3200 km) south of Tokyo. Having emerged from United Nations trusteeship (administered by the United States) in 1994, it is one of the world's youngest and smallest nations. In 1989 Palau was ranked and listed by CEDAM International as the ranking Number 1 Underwater Wonder of the World out of the seven underwater wonders. It is sometimes referred to in English under its native name Belau. Palau can be: An island nation in Oceania, see Palau A little city in Coahuila (Mexico), see Palau (Coahuila) A little village in Sassari (Sardinia, Italy), see Palau (Sassari) A little village in Inhambane (Mozambique), see Palau (Inhambane) A language spoken in Palau and Guam, see Palauan language A little... Image File history File links Flag_of_Palau. ... Image File history File links Palau_seal. ... Flag ratio: 3:5 The flag of Palau was adopted on January 1, 1981. ... The Coat of arms of Palau resembles the previous seal of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and reads Olbiil era kelulau-Republic of Palau. Categories: | | | ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Belau rekid (Our Palau) is the national anthem of Palau. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... Melekeok is one of Palaus sixteen states. ... Palau boatyard on Malakal Island, August 1973 Koror is the state comprising the main commercial center of the country of Palau. ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... List of Presidents of Palau See also Vice-President of Palau Categories: | ... Thomas Esang Remengesau, Jr. ... is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... To help compare different orders of magnitude and geographical regions, we list here areas between 100 km² and 1000 km². See also areas of other orders of magnitude. ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ... This is a list of countries ordered according to population. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/km². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... The purchasing power parity (PPP) theory uses the long-term equilibrium exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their purchasing power. ... There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... This article includes two lists of countries of the world[1] sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year divided by the average population for the same year. ... World map indicating Human Development Index (2006). ... World map indicating Human Development Index (2007) (Colour-blind compliant map) For red-green color vision problems. ... USD redirects here. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... UTC redirects here. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... .pw is the Internet country code top-level domain ( ccTLD) for Palau. ... This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Palau boatyard on Malakal Island, August 1973 Koror is the state comprising the main commercial center of the country of Palau. ... Melekeok is one of Palaus sixteen states. ... A borderless country may be defined as an island nation, an insular territory over which a nation-state is sovereign under international law, that does not share the land territory of its island with other nation-states sovereign under international law. ... “km” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ... UN and U.N. redirect here. ... The United Nations Trusteeship Council, one of the principal organs of the United Nations, was established to help ensure that non-self-governing territories were administered in the best interests of the inhabitants and of international peace and security. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with List of countries by date of statehood. ... Contents 1 History 1.1 Archaeology 1.2 European contact 1.3 Spanish rule 1.4 Japanese rule 1.5 World War II 2 Government 2.1 Foreign relations 2.2 Nuclear-free constitution 2.3 States 3 Geography 3.1 Climate 3.2 Environment 4 Economy 5 Demographics 6 Culture 6.1 Libraries and museums 7 Transportation 8 In the media 9 Gallery 10 See also 11 References 12 External links [edit] History Main article: History of Palau Palau was initially settled over 4,000 years ago, probably by migrants from what today is Indonesia. ... [edit] Archaeology Early Palauans may have come from Australia, Polynesia and Asia. Depending on the thread of the family, Palauans may indeed represent many parts of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. However, it is traditionally considered to be Micronesian. According to geneticists, there are two distinctive strains of Melanesian bloodlines: one is associated with indigenous Australians/Papua New Guineans and the other is known to have originated in Asia. There has not been any link established between the two. Carving from the ridgepole of a Māori house, ca 1840 Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a large grouping of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... Map showing Melanesia. ... Until recently, Palau was not considered a part of Micronesia. In the European and Australian world Belau/Pelew is better known by the name of "The Black Islands". Vintage maps and village drawings can be found at the Australian library online, as well as photos of the tattooed and pierced Ibedul of Koror and Ludee. Carbon dating and recent archaeological discoveries have brought new attention to the archipelago. Cemeteries uncovered in islands have shown Palau has the oldest burial ceremony known to Oceania. Prior to this there has been much dispute as to whether Palau was established during 2500 BC or 1000 BC. New studies seem to dispute both of these findings. Moreover, Palau's ancient trading partner, Java, has also come under close scrutiny since Homo floresiensis was found. For other uses, see Oceania (disambiguation). ... Binomial name P. Brown , 2004 Homo floresiensis (Man of Flores, nicknamed Hobbit) is the name for a possible species in the genus Homo, remarkable for its small body, small brain, and survival until relatively recent times. ... For thousands of years, Palauans have had a well established matrilineal society, believed to have descended from Javanese precedents. Traditionally, land, money, and titles passed through the female line. Clan lands continue to be passed through titled women and first daughters but there is also a modern patrilineal sentiment introduced by imperial Japan. The Japanese government attempted to confiscate and redistribute tribal land into personal ownership during World War II, and there has been little attempt to restore the old order. Legal entanglements continue amongst the various clans.[1] Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... [edit] European contact Historians take much interest in the navigational routes of European explorers. One such mystery has created much speculation as to whether Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos spotted the islands in 1543. No conclusive evidence exists but there are some who think he could have seen the tip of a southernmost island in the group. Ruy López de Villalobos (b. ... Palau was one of the last of the South Sea islands to be discovered—not only due to a lack of navigation skill but because neighboring islands knew nothing about Melanesia. Palau had limited relations—mainly with Yap and Java. Filipino name Tagalog: Luzon Sea Portuguese name Portuguese: Mar da China Meridional Vietnamese name Vietnamese: The South China Sea is a marginal sea south of China. ... YAP (which stands for Yet Another Previewer or Yet Another Prolog) is the acronym used for two document previewing applications and one Prolog compiler. ... Java (Indonesian, Javanese, and Sundanese: Jawa) is an island of Indonesia, and the site of its capital city, Jakarta. ... Had it not have been for ship-wrecked islanders who accidentally took refuge in the Philippines, Europeans likely would not have found a route to Palau until much later. English Captain Henry Wilson also shipwrecked off the island of Ulong in 1783.[2] Wilson dubbed Palau the “Pelew Islands”. [edit] Spanish rule Like Guam, the Mariana Islands, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, Palau was part of the Spanish East Indies, and was governed from the Spanish Philippines until the Spanish-American War of 1898. The Mariana Islands (also the Marianas; up to the early 20th century sometimes called Ladrones Islands, from Spanish Islas de los Ladrones meaning Islands of Thieves) are an archipelago made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the north-western Pacific Ocean between the 12th and 21st parallels... Flag A map of the Spanish East Indies Capital Manila (Cebu until 1595, Bacolor 1762-1763, Iloilo 1898) Language(s) Spanish Religion Roman Catholicism Political structure Colony Monarch  - 1565-1598 Philip II  - 1896-1898 Alfonso XIII Governor-General  - 1565-1572 Miguel López de Legazpi  - 1898 Diego de los R... In 1885, after Germany occupied some of the islands, a dispute was brought to Pope Leo XIII, who made an attempt to legitimize Spanish claim to the islands (but with economic concessions for Britain and Germany). Spain in 1899, after defeat during the Spanish-American War, sold the islands to Germany.[3][4] Pope Leo XIII (March 2, 1810—July 20, 1903), born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903, succeeding Pope Pius IX. Reigning until the age of 93, he was the oldest pope, and had the third longest pontificate... [edit] Japanese rule In 1914, Japan invaded the islands, then formally took over under the Treaty of Versailles after the WWI German defeat. Over three decades, the Japanese enforced cultural change. Introduction of an exclusive market economy geared towards Japanese citizens temporarily revoked tribal ownership.[5] Although some reparation was made, defeat did not restore complete order. U.S. intervention only served to widen the legal semantics needed to recover from such an event spanning three different countries with three different tongues. This article is about the Treaty of Versailles of June 28, 1919, which ended World War I. For other uses, see Treaty of Versailles (disambiguation) . The Treaty of Versailles (1919) was a peace treaty that officially ended World War I between the Allied and Associated Powers and Germany. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... [edit] World War II Peleliu was the scene of a costly battle between American and Japanese forces in 1944, resulting in an Allied victory, though the cost in human terms was high for both sides. After WWII, the United Nations played a role in deciding the U.S. would administer Palau as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Eventually, in 1979, Palauans voted against joining the Federated States of Micronesia based on language and cultural differences. After a long period of transition, including the violent deaths of two presidents (Haruo Remeliik in 1985 and Lazarus Salii in 1988), Palau voted to freely associate with the United States in 1994 while opting to retain independence under the Compact of Free Association. Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders William H. Rupertus, USMC Kunio Nakagawa Strength 2 divisions (1st Marine Division and the USA 81st Infantry Division) Approximately 11,000 men Casualties 2,336 killed and 8,450 wounded 10,695 killed, 202 captured The Battle of Peleliu, like the bloody World... UN and U.N. redirect here. ... National motto: ? Official language English? Capital Saipan Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 78 (United States) 1,779 km² Negligible Population  - Total  - Density 132,929 (1980) N/Akm² GDP  - Total  - GDP/head N/A Currency US Dollar Time zone UTC: ? Independence UN trusteeship administered by the US Internet TLD none? Calling code... Haruo Ignacio Remeliik (1 June 1933–30 June 1985) was a politician from Palau. ... Lazarus Eitaro Salii (1935–20 August 1988) was a politician from Palau. ... The Compact of Free Association (COFA) defines the relationship that three sovereign states—the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau—have entered into as associated states with the United States. ... There are still roughly 100 American service members listed as Missing In Action (MIA) in Palau since WWII. Since 1993, a small group of American volunteers called The BentProp Project have searched the waters and jungles of Palau to attempt to locate information that can lead to the identification and recovery of remains of these American MIAs. Logo of BentProp Project The BentProp Projectis a small all-volunteer group of individuals whose common goal is gathering information that can lead to the location, identification, and repatriation of remains of U.S. service members who were killed in action in the Republic of Palau(in the western Pacific... [edit] Government Main article: Politics of Palau Politics of Palau takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Palau is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Palau National Congress. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. This article needs cleanup. ... Representative democracy is a form of government founded on the principles of popular sovereignty by the peoples representatives. ... List of Presidents of Palau See also Vice-President of Palau Categories: | ... For the comedy film of the same name, see Head of State (film). ... The head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. ... Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law. ... A legislature is a governmental deliberative body with the power to adopt laws. ... The Olbiil Era Kelulau, known in English as the Palau National Congress, is the chief form of government in Palau. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      In the law, the judiciary or judicial system is the system of courts which administer justice in the name of the sovereign or state, a mechanism for the resolution of disputes. ... Palau Capital Complex Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Front Columns Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Capital Hallways Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Judiciary Building Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 450 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,067 × 600 pixels, file size: 542 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Judiciary Building I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Executive Complex Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 443 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,084 × 600 pixels, file size: 545 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Executive Complex I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Palau Capital Building Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... [edit] Foreign relations Palau gained its independence October 1, 1994 when the Compact of Free Association with the United States came into force. Palau was the last Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands territories to gain its independence. Under the Compact, the U.S. remains responsible for Palau's defense for 50 years. is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... United Nations Trust Territories were the successors of the League of Nations mandates and came into being when the League of Nations ceased to exist in 1946. ... Palau is a sovereign nation and conducts its own foreign relations. Since independence, Palau has established diplomatic relations with a number of nations, including many of its Pacific neighbors. Palau was admitted to the United Nations on December 15, 1994, and has since joined several other international organizations. In September 2006, Palau hosted the first Taiwan-Pacific Allies Summit, and its President has gone on several official visits to other Pacific countries, including Taiwan. is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... [edit] Nuclear-free constitution In 1981, Palau voted for the world's first nuclear-free constitution. However, this delayed Palau's independence as it also wanted a Compact of Free Association with the United States, which the U.S. would not agree to as long as the anti-nuclear clause was in place; thus the United Nations delayed terminating the U.S. trusteeship. Palauan independence was finally achieved after the anti-nuclear clause was repealed. The Compact of Free Association (COFA) defines the relationship that three sovereign states—the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Republic of Palau—have entered into as associated states with the United States. ... UN and U.N. redirect here. ... One of the notable aspects of the Palaun resistance to nuclear research is the leadership of women activists such as Cita Morei and Isabella Sumang.[citation needed] Cita or Elicita Morei, womens liberation and anti-nuclear weapons activist and writer. ... [edit] States Main article: States of Palau The sixteen states of Palau Palau is divided into sixteen states (until 1984 called municipalities): Palau is divided into sixteen administrative regions, called states: Aimeliik Airai Angaur Hatobohei Kayangel Koror Melekeok Ngaraard Ngarchelong Ngardmau Ngatpang Ngchesar Ngeremlengui Ngiwal Peleliu Sonsoral Categories: Lists of subnational entities | Palau ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1154x1518, 232 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Palau States of Palau ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1154x1518, 232 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Palau States of Palau ... Aimeliik Airai Angaur Hatohobei Kayangel Koror Melekeok Ngaraard Ngarchelong Ngardmau Ngatpang Ngchesar Ngeremlengui Ngiwal Peleliu Sonsorol The uninhabited Rock Islands of Palau have historically been part of the State of Koror. Aimeliik is an administrative division of the island country of Palau. ... Airai, located on the southern coast of Babeldaob island, is the second-most populous state of Palau. ... Angaur (or Ngeaur) is an island in the island nation of Palau. ... Tobi, or Hatohobei (Tobian language), is the southernmost of Palaus sixteen states, consisting of Tobi Island and uninhabited Helen Reef. ... Kayangel is a small island north of Koror, it is appromaxtely a mile long and half a mile wide. ... Palau boatyard on Malakal Island, August 1973 Koror is the state comprising the main commercial center of the country of Palau. ... Melekeok is one of Palaus sixteen states. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Ngarchelong is the name of an administrative division of the country of Palau. ... Ngardmau is one of Palaus sixteen states. ... Ngatpang is one of Palaus sixteen states. ... Ngchesar is in Palau. ... Ngeremlengui is one of Palaus sixteen states. ... Ngiwal is a small village of 250 people on the east side of Babeldaob, Palau. ... Map of Peleliu Peleliu (or Beliliou) is an island in the island nation of Palau. ... Here. ... The Rock Islands of Palau are a small collection of limestone islands in Palau, an island nation of the Pacific Ocean. ... [edit] Geography Main article: Geography of Palau The Republic of Palau Palau's most populated islands are Angaur, Babeldaob, Koror, and Peleliu. The latter three lie together within the same barrier reef, while Angaur is an Oceanic Island several miles to the South. About two-thirds of the population lives on Koror. The coral atoll of Kayangel is situated north of these islands, while the uninhabited Rock Islands (about 200) are situated to the west of the main island group. A remote group of six islands, known as the Southwest Islands, some 375 miles (600 km) from the main islands, are also part of the country and make up the States of Hatohobei and Sonsorol. The Republic of Palau consists of eight principal islands and more than 250 smaller ones lying roughly 500 miles southeast of the Philippines. ... Image File history File links Palau-CIA_WFB_Map. ... Image File history File links Palau-CIA_WFB_Map. ... Angaur (or Ngeaur) is an island in the island nation of Palau. ... Babeldaob (also Babelthuap) is the largest island in the island nation of Palau. ... Palau boatyard on Malakal Island, August 1973 Koror is the state comprising the main commercial center of the country of Palau. ... Map of Peleliu Peleliu (or Beliliou) is an island in the island nation of Palau. ... Satellite image of a part of the Great Barrier Reef. ... Extant Subclasses and Orders Alcyonaria    Alcyonacea    Helioporacea Zoantharia    Antipatharia    Corallimorpharia    Scleractinia    Zoanthidea [1][2]  See Anthozoa for details For other uses, see Coral (disambiguation). ... Portion of a Pacific atoll showing two islets on the ribbon or barrier reef separated by a deep pass between the ocean and the lagoon. ... Kayangel is a small island north of Koror, it is appromaxtely a mile long and half a mile wide. ... The Rock Islands of Palau are a small collection of limestone islands in Palau, an island nation of the Pacific Ocean. ... The Southwest Islands of Palau are several small islands spread across the Pacific Ocean, about 600 km from the main island chain of Palau. ... [edit] Climate Palau enjoys a tropical climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 82 °F (27 °C). Rainfall can occur throughout the year, averaging a total of 150 inches (3,800 mm). The average humidity over the course of the year is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare, as Palau is outside the main typhoon zone. For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Celsius (disambiguation). ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Cyclone Catarina, a rare South Atlantic tropical cyclone viewed from the International Space Station on March 26, 2004 Hurricane and Typhoon redirect here. ... [edit] Environment While much of Palau's natural environment remains free of environmental degradation, there are several areas of concern, including illegal fishing with the use of dynamite, inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste in Koror, and extensive sand and coral dredging in the Palau lagoon. Like the other Pacific island nations, a potential major environmental threat is global warming and the related rising of sea level. Water coverage of low-lying areas is a threat to coastal vegetation, agriculture, and the purity of the nation's water supply. Palau also has a problem with inadequate water supply and limited agricultural areas to support the size of the population. The nation is also vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic activity, and tropical storms. Sewage treatment is a problem, along with the handling of toxic waste from fertilizers and biocides. Palau boatyard on Malakal Island, August 1973 Koror is the state comprising the main commercial center of the country of Palau. ... On November 5, 2005, President of Palau Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. took the lead on a regional environmental initiative called the Micronesia challenge, which would conserve 30 percent of near shore coastal waters and 20 percent of forest land by 2020. In addition to Palau, the initiative was joined by the Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands, and the U.S. territories of Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. Together, this combined region represents nearly 5 percent of the marine area of the Pacific Ocean and 7 percent of its coastlines. is the 309th day of the year (310th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Micronesia Challenge is a regional inter-governmental initiative in the western Pacific region that would facilitate more effective conservation of marine and forest resources in Micronesia. ... 2020 (MMXX) will be a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... [edit] Economy Main article: Economy of Palau The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. Tourist activity focuses on scuba diving and snorkeling in the islands' rich marine environment, including the Floating Garden Islands to the west of Koror and the Rock Islands to the south. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 50,000 in the financial year 2000/2001. The population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-term prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development. Economy - overview: The economy of Palau consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. ... Tourist redirects here. ... Like most farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, this Cameroonian man cultivates at the subsistence level. ... Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish by hooking, trapping, or gathering. ... In July 2004, Palau Micronesia Air was launched with service from Palau to Yap, Guam, Micronesia, Saipan, Australia, and the Philippines. It was thought of giving Continental Micronesia a run for its money due to the low fares which it offered to its passengers, however it has ceased operations in December of the same year, mainly because the airline began operating at a time where fuel prices were skyrocketing and also because the cost of operation had been much more than anticipated. Palau Micronesia Air has not restarted operations since but has made a codeshare alliance with Asian Spirit, a carrier that operates flights between Palau and the Philippines (Davao, Cebu, and Manila) and is much more affordable than Continental Micronesia. There are two flights weekly Manila via Cebu to Palau and one flight weekly from Davao. The flight costs $230 from Davao and $280 from Manila with one week advance booking. (Stand May 4. 2007) Palau Micronesia Air began in July of 2004. ... YAP (which stands for Yet Another Previewer or Yet Another Prolog) is the acronym used for two document previewing applications and one Prolog compiler. ... Saipan seen from the air A map of Saipan, Tinian & Aquijan Saipan (IPA: in English) is the largest island and capital of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean (15°10... Continental Micronesia is a wholly owned subsidiary airline of Continental Airlines. ... Palau Micronesia Air began in July of 2004. ... Code sharing is a business term used in the airline industry for a procedure whereby one airline operates a service using its own flight number, e. ... Asian Spirit is an airline based in Pasay City, Manila in the Philippines. ... Davao refers to several places in Mindanao in the Philippines. ... For other uses, see Cebu (disambiguation). ... For other meanings of the word, see Manila (disambiguation). ... Continental Micronesia is a wholly owned subsidiary airline of Continental Airlines. ... [edit] Demographics Main article: Demographics of Palau The population of Palau is approximately 21,000, of whom 70% are native Palauans, who are of mixed Melanesian, Micronesian, and Polynesian descent. Filipinos form the second largest ethnic group. Other Asians and Europeans account for the minority groups. About 70% of the Palauan population lives in the capital city of Koror on Koror Island. ... Map showing Melanesia. ... Carving from the ridgepole of a Māori house, ca 1840 Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a large grouping of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. ... The term Asian can refer to something or someone from Asia. ... The European peoples are the various nations and ethnic groups of Europe. ... Three quarters of the population are Christians (mainly Catholics and Protestants), while Modekngei (a combination of Christianity, traditional Palauan religion and fortune telling) and the ancient Palauan religion are commonly observed. According to the 2005 census[6] 49.4% of the population are Catholics, 21.3% Protestants, 8.7% Modekngei and 5.3% Seventh-day Adventists. For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Protestantism is a general grouping of denominations within Christianity. ... Modekngei is a monotheistic religious movement founded around 1915 by Temedad, a native of the island of Babeldaob that spread throughout Palau. ... The official languages of Palau are Palauan and English, except for two states (Sonsorol and Hatohobei) where the local language, along with Palauan, is official. Japanese is also spoken widely amongst older Palauans. Wikang Filipino is not official in Palau, but it is the 4th largest spoken language. The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Filipino (formerly Pilipino) is the national and an official language of the Philippines as designated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. ... [edit] Culture Main articles: Culture of Palau and Music of Palau See also: Palauan language Palau is a Micronesian island nation in the Pacific Ocean. ... Palauan is the language spoken on Palau. ... [edit] Libraries and museums There is a small public library in Koror, with a collection comprising about 17,000 books. The Belau National Museum, established in 1973, is also located in Koror. [edit] Transportation Palau International Airport provides scheduled direct flights to Guam, Taipei and Manila. There are two other airports in the country, both with unpaved runways. Palau International Airport (IATA: ROR, ICAO: PTRO), also known as Babelthuap/Koror Airport, is located in the state of Airai on the island of Babeldaob (or Babelthuap), near the island and state of Koror, in the Republic of Palau. ... Nickname: Coordinates: , Country Region City seat Xinyi District (信義區) Government  - Mayor Hau Lung-bin (KMT)1 E9 Area  - City 271. ... For other meanings of the word, see Manila (disambiguation). ... Freight and cruise ships call at Malakal Harbor, on Malakal Island outside Koror. Malakal Island is an island in the state of Koror, Palau. ... Palau boatyard on Malakal Island, August 1973 Koror is the state comprising the main commercial center of the country of Palau. ... The country has no railways, and almost half of the roads are unpaved (of the 61 km/38 mi of highways, only 36 km/22 mi are paved). Driving is on the right and the speed limit is 40 km/h (25 mph). Taxis are available in Koror. They are not metered and fares are fixed. Only Koror maintains a bus service. Transportation between islands mostly relies on private boats. [edit] In the media The nation was the site of the American reality television program Survivor: Palau, airing February 17 to March 15, 2005, as the Survivor franchise's 10th edition. // This article is about the genre of TV shows. ... Survivor: Palau is the tenth installment of the reality hit Survivor. ... Survivor is an American version of the Survivor reality television game show based on the Swedish television series Expedition Robinson originally created in 1992 by Charlie Parsons. ... [edit] Gallery This section seems to be an image gallery. Please help by moving freely licensed images to Wikimedia Commons, possibly creating a gallery of the same name if one does not already exist. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for further suggestions. It has been suggested that this section be split into a new article. (Discuss) Divers descending into the main cavern of Blue Hole. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links 1881_aquaimages. ... A Tridacna giant clam. Image File history File links 1882_aquaimages. ... Divers descending next to the mast of the Japanese tanker Iro. Image File history File links 1888_aquaimages. ... An Anenomefish on the wreck of the Japanese tanker Iro. Image File history File links 1885_aquaimages. ... Diver and large Moon jellyfish, Jellyfish Lake. Image File history File links 1889_aquaimages. ... Diver and jellyfish, Jellyfish Lake. Image File history File links 1890_aquaimages. ... Jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake. Image File history File links 1891_aquaimages. ... Diver and Nautilus, German Channel. Image File history File links 1892_aquaimages. ... Nudibranch on sea fan. Image File history File links 1893_aquaimages. ... Soft corals growing on vertical wall. Image File history File links 1897_aquaimages. ... Closeup of soft coral. Image File history File links 1898_aquaimages. ... Starfish on soft coral. Image File history File links 1901_aquaimages. ... Diver and large table coral. Image File history File links 1903_aquaimages. ... Divers on a vertical wall, Peleliu Island. Image File history File links 1909_aquaimages. ... One of the many Rock Islands. Image File history File links 1907_aquaimages. ... Channel between the Rock Islands. Image File history File links 1908_aquaimages. ... [edit] See also Foreign relations of Palau List of Palauans List of radio stations in Palau Military of Palau Palau at the Olympics Public holidays in Palau Scouting in Palau BentProp Project Micronesia challenge Palau Community College Communications in Palau Transportation in Palau Palau gained its independence October 1, 1994 with the entry into force of the Compact of Free Association with the United States. ... This is a list of notable people from Palau. ... List of radio stations in Palau AM 1584 T8AA-AM