Facts about Palau
Palau joins a large forested island, limestone Rock Islands and far-flung southern communities in the western Pacific. Ngerulmud is the capital on Babeldaob, while Koror remains the main urban centre. Reefs, traditional meeting houses and histories carried through carving make this small republic more than a diving destination.
- Capital
- Ngerulmud
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- Palauan and English; other languages on outer islands
Geography of Palau
Babeldaob is Palau's largest island and holds Ngerulmud, the national capital. Koror and nearby islands concentrate much of the population and business activity. South of them, the Rock Islands form a maze of limestone islets and lagoons. Peleliu, Angaur and the southwest islands extend the country farther into the Pacific.
- Is Koror still the capital of Palau?
- No. The capital moved to Ngerulmud on Babeldaob in 2006. Koror remains the main urban and commercial centre.
History of Palau
Palauan communities developed their own systems of leadership, exchange and landholding before foreign rule. Spain, Germany and Japan administered the islands in succession. The Second World War brought destructive fighting, especially on Peleliu. United States trusteeship followed, and Palau became independent in free association with the United States in 1994.
- When did Palau become independent?
- Palau became independent on 1 October 1994, when its Compact of Free Association with the United States took effect.
Languages of Palau
Palauan and English are the national official languages, but they do not describe every island's speech. Sonsorolese and Tobian are used in southwest island communities, and Angaur has its own official-language provisions. Palauan belongs to the Austronesian family and carries oral histories, place names and customary knowledge specific to the archipelago.
- Does everyone in Palau speak the same Indigenous language?
- No. Palauan is the main Indigenous language, but communities on southwest islands also speak languages such as Sonsorolese and Tobian.
Culture of Palau
A bai is a traditional meeting house decorated with imagery that records stories and social knowledge. Storyboards carry narratives through carved scenes. Customary leaders and clan relationships remain important alongside elected institutions, and taro cultivation is part of cultural life as well as food production. Traditions vary among Palau's island communities.
- What is a bai?
- A traditional Palauan meeting house. Its decoration can carry stories, historical knowledge and meanings connected with community life.
Economy of Palau
Tourism connects diving and other visitor activities with accommodation, transport and local services. Fishing, public employment and Compact assistance also support the economy. Palau uses the United States dollar and imports many goods. Protecting reefs matters economically because both fisheries and visitors depend on a healthy marine environment.
- Why is marine conservation important to Palau’s economy?
- Healthy reefs support fisheries and attract divers and other visitors, linking environmental protection with food, employment and tourism income.
Politics of Palau
Palau is a presidential republic with an elected president and a two-chamber national legislature. Its states have their own local governments. Under the Compact of Free Association, Palau remains sovereign while the United States provides assistance and assumes defence responsibilities. Traditional leadership continues to have a role in customary matters.
- Is Palau part of the United States?
- No. Palau is a sovereign republic with a Compact of Free Association with the United States.
Nature and wildlife of Palau
The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon combines reefs, forested limestone islands and marine lakes with distinctive species. Mangroves and seagrass support fish, turtles and dugongs. Marine conservation and customary restrictions help manage resources, while warming seas and coastal development create pressures on habitats that underpin both food supplies and tourism.
- What makes Palau’s marine lakes unusual?
- They are bodies of seawater separated from the open ocean by land barriers, with distinctive communities of marine organisms.
Food of Palau
Taro, fish, coconut and fruit connect Palauan cooking with gardens and the sea. Demok is a soup associated with taro leaves and coconut milk. Local meals also reflect contact with neighbouring countries and imported foods. The cultivation of taro carries family knowledge and cultural responsibilities alongside its value on the table.
- What is demok?
- A Palauan soup associated with taro leaves and coconut milk, reflecting the importance of taro in local food and culture.
Landmarks of Palau
The UNESCO-listed Rock Islands Southern Lagoon preserves both marine habitats and traces of former settlements. Airai's traditional bai shows another form of heritage, while stone monoliths on Babeldaob raise questions about earlier societies. Peleliu's battle sites record a much later history of warfare and its impact on island communities.
- Are the Rock Islands only a natural heritage site?
- No. Their UNESCO listing also recognises evidence of former settlements and the relationship between island communities and the environment.
People and society of Palau
Many Palauans live around Koror, while Babeldaob and the outer islands retain distinct communities. Clan and family ties are central to customary land and identity, with maternal lines important in many relationships. Migration, education and work create connections with Guam, the United States and other countries across the Pacific.
- Where do most Palauans live?
- Much of the population lives in and around Koror, while communities on Babeldaob and other islands retain their own local identities.