Republic of Palau

The Republic of Palau (ROP) is an island nation in the Western Pacific. It is an archipelago comprised of 340 coral islands, volcanic islands, and coral islands spread across 104 miles from the Velasco Reef in the north to the Island of Anguar in the south. It lies roughly 1,000 miles southeast of Manila, 2,000 miles south of Tokyo and 4,600 miles west of Honolulu.

The ROP is one of three “Freely Associated States,” or “FAS” nations in a Compact of Free Association or “COFA” with the United States. The treaty and agreements provide economic assistance to the countries, secure US defense rights, set defense responsibilities, and allow FAS citizens to migrate to the United States.

Naming

Palau is sometimes described as a portion of Micronesia. Palau also has been mis-characterized as part of the Western Caroline Islands. That term is more often and accurately used for the islands of present-day Yap State in the FSM. "Palau," or the "Palau Islands" is a clearer, more precise classification for the Palau group.

Historic names and alternative spellings include: Belau, Palao, Palos, and Pelew.

Administrative History

The Spanish Period (1521-1899) began with initial discovery in the early 1500's though Spain made little attempt to occupy or administer the islands until 1885, when the islands were incorporated into the Spanish East Indies.

After the Spanish-American War, Spain sold the the Palau, Caroline and Marshall Islands to Germany in 1899. In this German Period (1899-1914), the islands were titled Imperial German Pacific Protectorates. Palau was a portion of the "Western Carolines District," along with Yap and the Marianas, administered through German New Guinea.

Palau was seized from the Germans by the Japanese early in World War I. The Islands were in 1920 mandated to Japan by the League of Nations. In this Japanese Period (1914-1941), the islands were governed by the “Nan'yō Cho” or South Seas Government. Koror, in Palau, served as the seat of administration. Japanese presence and proximity were greater in Palau than in the neighboring Caroline and Marshall Islands, accelerating economic development and acculturation. This included imposition of well-defined individual property rights.

Following liberation of the islands in the War in the Pacific, the islands were administered by the US Navy during the USN Period (1945-1947). The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) was formalized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 21 in 1947. The Navy passed governing duties to the Department of the Interior in 1951, initiating the TTPI Period (1947-1979).

Islands and Groupings

Babeldaob

Babeldaob is an island made up of rolling volcanic hills, up to 700 feet in elevation, situated in the center of the Palau Group. It is largest island in Palau with 150 square miles of land area. Babeldaob includes the States of Aimeliik, Airai, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, and Ngiwal.

Koror

Connected to Babeldaob by a bridge, the Island of Koror covers 3.5 square miles and is commercial and population center of Palau. It was the seat of government until 2006 when the capitol was transferred to Ngerulmud. The Islands of Koror, and Ngerkebesang, and Malakal, which are connected by causeways to Koror, comprise Koror State.

Peleliu

Located 26 miles southwest of Koror, the Island of Peleliu consists of 4.5 square miles and is the third most populated island in Palau, with most islanders residing in the village of Kloulklubed. Peleliu State is comprised of the eponymous Island, as well as Ngercheu, Ngesebus, Ngurungor, Kongauru, and Murphy Island. Peleliu and Angaur have been termed Palau's "central southern islands."

Angaur

Located 38 miles southwest of Koror, Angaur has 3.2 square miles of land as is the site of phosphate deposits. The island is conterminous with Angaur State. Peleliu and Angaur have been termed Palau's "central southern islands."

Kayangel

Kayangel is northern most atoll in the Republic of Palau. The Atoll of Kayangel, as well as nearby Ngaruangel Atoll and the Velasco Reef, comprise Kayangel State.

Southwest Islands

Sometimes called the "Outer Islands" of Palau. Includes Hatohobei State and Sonsorol State. Virtually uninhabited today, these islands were linguistically and culturally proximate to the Western Carolines, today's Outer Islands of Yap.