Facts about Palau
Palau's most important islands are Angaur, Babeldaob, Koror, and Peleliu, which lie together near the same barrier reef.
Palauan women have always been endowed with land, titles, and money.
The economy of Palau is based on tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing, with heavy reliance on financial assistance from the United States.
Palau’s musical heritage is Micronesian, but has been influenced by music from the United States and western Europe, as well as Japan.
The decorated bai gable is used in most national and state seals and to decorate Palauan buildings.
Under the terms of its compact with the United States, Palau will receive more than US$450 million in assistance over 15 years and is eligible to participate in more than 40 federal programs.
Under the compact, the U.S. remains responsible for Palau's defense for 50 years.
The Republic of Palau is located in the Pacific Ocean some 300 miles (500 kilometers) east of the Philippines.
Carrying on the family line, Palauan women have always been endowed with land, titles, and money.
Recent studies show Palauans may have come from China or Indonesia, settling the islands as early as 2500 B.C.E.
Palauan villages are organized around 10 clans that are determined matrilineally.
The Spanish explorer Ruy Lуpez de Villalobos may have passed by one of the islands in 1543, but not enough information exists to prove Palau was ever in his sights.
Palau gained its independence October 1, 1994, when the compact of free association with the United States came into force.
The American influence can be heard in a distinctly Palauan form of country music.
Palau is within hundreds of miles of New Guinea, Guam, Australia, the Philippines, Japan, Bali, the former Soviet Union, and Korea.
Palau enjoys a tropical climate with an annual mean temperature of 82°F (27 °C).
The Republic of Palau consists of eight principal islands and more than 250 smaller ones lying roughly 500 miles (500 kilometers) southeast of the Philippines.
Arriving at the Rhфne in September, Hannibal's army numbered 38,000 infantry, 8,000 cavalry, and thirty-seven war elephants.
After a long series of crises, she died and Darwin lost faith in a beneficent God.
Palau is located between several important geographical locations, which is why it was a top strategic location for nuclear weapons activities during the Cold War era.
Palauan is primarily a spoken language, so there is confusion about the correct spelling of names.
Until the 1800s, Palauans were tattooed, with the most ornate designs on women of the high clan.
Palauan (also spelled “Belauan”) is a member of the Austronesian family of languages, and is considered to be one of two languages in Micronesia (the other being Chamorro) belonging to the Western Malayo-Polynesian group.
Java is likely where the tradition of Palaun female wealth originated.
The president of Palau, who is both head of state and head of government, is elected every four years.
Palauans are Micronesian mixed with Melanesians and Malayans, and make up 70 percent of the population of 19,000 people.
The Spanish claimed Palau as part of the Spanish East Indies, and governed Palau from the Philippines, until the British protested in 1875.
Palau's per capita GDP of US$7,600 in 2005 makes it one of the wealthier Pacific island states.
Palau was the last Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands to gain its independence.
The official languages are Palauan and English, except for three states (Sonsorol, Hatohobei, and Anguar) where the local language is official.
The Palauans voted in 1979 not to join the Federated States of Micronesia because of language and cultural differences, choosing independence instead.