Palau General Information Area: 508 sq km (196 sq miles), including Babeldaob Island, whose area is 409 sq km (158 sq miles). Population: 19,129 (2000). Population Density: 37.7 per sq km. Capital: Koror. Population: 11,560 (1995). GEOGRAPHY: Palau, the westernmost cluster of the six major island groups that make up the Caroline Islands, lies 1000km (600 miles) east of the Philippines. The archipelago stretches over 650km (400 miles) from the atoll of Kayangel to the islet of Tobi. The Palau islands include more than 200 islands, of which only eight are inhabited. With three exceptions, all of the islands are located within a single barrier reef and represent two geological formations. The largest are volcanic and rugged with interior jungle and large areas of grassed terraces. The Rock Islands, now known as the Floating Garden Islands, are of limestone formation, while Kayangel, at the northernmost tip, is a classic coral atoll. Government: Republic since 1947. Gained self-governing status (in free association with the USA) in 1994. Head of State and Government: President Tommy Remengesau since 2000. Language: English and Palauan. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Time: GMT + 9. Electricity: 115/230 volts AC, 60 Hz. Communications:   Telephone Country code: 680. Outgoing international code: 011. Phonecards are available and calls can be made from most hotels in Koror. Fax Some hotels have facilities. Internet Main ISP is Paulau Net (website: www.palaunet.com). Access and reliability is limited. Telegram Services are available in Koror. Post Post office located in Koror. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0900 to 1000. Press The main newspaper is Pacific Daily News (Guam). The local newspaper, which appears fortnightly, is Tia Belau; Palau Horizon appears weekly. Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes 2 Yes Australian Yes 2 Yes Canadian Yes 2 Yes USA 1 2 Yes OtherEU Yes 2 Yes Japanese Yes 2 Yes PASSPORTS: 1. Valid passports are required by all except those holding proof of citizenship accompanied by any other photo ID document issued to US nationals. VISAS: 2. Not required for visits of less than 30 days; Entry Permits are issued on arrival. For longer stays, permission must be granted from the Chief of Immigration. Types of visa and cost: Entry Permit: US$50. Validity: Various. Application to: Chief of Immigration, Bureau of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, PO Box 100, Koror 96940 (tel: 488 2498; fax: 488 2497). Note: (a) All visitors require proof of adequate funds (US$200 per week) and return or onward tickets. (b) All visitors must sign a declaration stating that they are HIV-negative. Vaccination Requirements: Those arriving from infected areas require vaccination certificates; see the Health section for details. Working days required: Postal applications are dealt with on receipt. Temporary residence: Apply to Division of Immigration (address above). Money Currency: The US Dollar is in use. For further information on currency, currency exchange, credit & debit cards, traveller’s cheques, exchange rate indicators and banking hours see main Pacific Islands of Micronesia section. Currency restrictions: There are no limits on the import and export of local or foreign currency, but amounts of more than US$5000 must be declared. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into the Republic of Palau without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 454g of cigars or tobacco; 2l of liquor. Note: Alcohol for passengers over 21 years of age only. Prohibited items: Narcotics, firearms, shells and natural artefacts. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Mar 15 Youth Day. May 5 Senior Citizens’ Day. Jun 1 President’s Day. Jul 9 Constitution Day. Sep 4 Labour Day. Oct 1 Independence Day. Oct 24 United Nations Day. Nov 23 Thanksgiving Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Mar 15 Youth Day. May 5 Senior Citizens’ Day. Jun 1 President’s Day. Jul 9 Constitution Day. Sep 4 Labour Day. Oct 1 Independence Day. Oct 24 United Nations Day. Nov 23 Thanksgiving Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Health Vaccination certificates for yellow fever, cholera and smallpox are required from all travellers arriving from infected areas. Hepatitis B is endemic. Hepatitis A, typhoid fever and dengue fever can occur. Health care: Palau has two private medical clinics and a public hospital. As health care is not free, health insurance is recommended. Travel - International AIR: Continental Airlines (CO) operates from Guam. There are twice weekly flights to Manila, from where connections to other destinations can be made. Japan Airlines (JL) flies from Nagoya, Japan, and Far Eastern Airlines (EF) flies directly from Taipei. International airports: Koror Babeldaob (ROR), on Babeldaob Island which is near Koror Island, is situated 12 miles (19km) northeast of Airai. Buses and taxis are available to Airai and Koror. Travel time to Koror is approximately 30 minutes. Departure tax: US$20. SEA: International cruise lines seldom call at Palau ports. Visitors who sail privately to Palau will find Naval Oceanographic charts to be most useful. US Naval Chart HO 5500 covers the entire region of Micronesia. Unscheduled inter-island boat services are available to Babeldaob and Kayangel. Peleliu and Anguar have scheduled boat services. ROAD: The road network is extended beyond Koror to Babeldaob Island with many coral and dirt roads connecting to other states. A four-wheel-drive car is recommended if you wish to see Babeldaob. Cars can be hired from the airport. Driving is on the right and the speed limit is 40kph (25mph). Taxi: There are many taxis in Koror offering comfortable travel. They are not metered and fares are fixed. Accommodation There is a wide variety of accommodation on Palau and the outlying islands, ranging from first-class luxury resorts with most services, to the mid-priced bungalows and motels. While most resorts are located in Koror, there is quieter and more secluded accommodation available on the southern islands. For more information contact the Palau Visitors Authority (see Contact Addresses section). Introduction KOROR: The capital, Koror, is the busiest centre in the islands with many gift shops, restaurants and other resort facilities. For an insight into Palau’s history however, a visit to the Palau National Museum is advised where more than 1000 relics of Palau’s past are housed including shell money and traditional weapons. BABELDAOB: Palau’s biggest island is about 43km (27 miles) long and 24km (15 miles) across at its widest, and is covered in dense foliage. The terrain is varied with steep mountains, freshwater lakes and sand dunes. Palau’s first inhabitants settled along the coastline. Today visitors can explore the 37 stone monoliths known as Badrulchau which are concrete examples of the island’s early civilization. Other remnants of Palau’s history are located at Imeungs in the southwest of the island. These stone foundations and pillars are all that remain of the political and military centre of this part of the island. ELSEWHERE: For sports lovers, the Rock Islands offer endless possibilities for snorkelling, sea kayaking, sailing and fishing. The island of Peleliu forms the southern boundary of the Rock Islands. In 1985 it was designated a US National Historic Landmark, owing to the part it played during World War II. Abandoned tanks, helmets and bomb casings are still dotted throughout the island. Sport & Activities Snorkelling & diving: Located between Guam, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, Palau is an archipelago which is more than 640km (400 miles) long and it harbours one of the world’s greatest concentrations of corals, fish and other marine life. As such, Palau has some of the world’s most spectacular snorkelling and diving locations and a well-developed diving infrastructure, with numerous operators offering a wide choice of facilities, including live-aboard dive tours to more remote sites. Palau’s coral reefs are home to more than 1500 species of fish and 700 species of corals and sea anemones. Plunging walls, coral gardens and World War II wrecks are all part of the range of diving available. The local marine life is abundant and varies from schools of triggerfish, snappers, butterflyfish, spadefish and barracudas to grouper, Napoleon wrasse and a variety of reef sharks. Manta and eagle rays, cuttlefish, hawksbill and green turtles are also frequently sighted. Palau’s most popular dive sites include Blue Corner (where Dogtooth tuna, resident Napoleon wrasses, wahoo and other large fish float on the rapid current); Ngemelis Wall (commonly referred to as the Big Drop-off, and praised by Jacques Cousteau); the German Channel (known for its regular sightings of manta rays); Siaes Tunnel (an enormous underwater cavern where white-tip reef sharks can almost always be seen); Chandelier Cave (a series of underwater chambers filled with ancient stalactites); and the Rock Islands (which are dotted with sunken remains of over 75 World War II ships and seaplanes, which have developed their own ecosystem where fish, corals and other invertebrates not commonly seen along the outer reef systems thrive). Millions of jellyfish inhabit Jellyfish Lake, cut off from the rest of the ocean; snorkellers can get up close as they no longer have their stings. Sea kayaking: Guided tours can be tailored to meet the abilities of an experienced or beginner kayaker. The Rock Islands are one the most popular kayaking destinations. Fishing: Palau offers both light-tackle and deep-water fishing, with gamefish such as blue marlin, tuna, snapper, giant trevallies, wahoo and mahi-mahi being among the species that can be caught here. Social Profile Food & Drink: Many restaurants offer an eclectic mix of cuisine. Fresh local seafood is the highlight of many menus and there are many exotic local dishes in addition to the ubiquitous pizza or traditional Japanese, Chinese or American fare. Nightlife: There are several open-air cocktail lounges, some offering live entertainment or karaoke. Shopping: Koror has a range of modern shopping facilities on offer. Several small gift shops offer a variety of unusual items, and the Belau National Museum and Ormuul Gift Shop offer authentic handmade local craft items. Palau’s best-known art form is the storyboard. These are carvings on various lengths of wood, sometimes shaped into crocodiles, turtles or fish and painted. The storyboards depict Palauan stories taken from about 30 popular legends or recorded events. In addition to the storyboards, models of bais (men’s meeting buses), canoes and sculptured figurines called dilukai are also carved. Other gifts include jewellery, etchings and baskets, purses, hats and mats woven from pandanas and palm. In addition to these local crafts, the Palau Pacific Resort has a duty-free shop which features locally produced items as well as designer and brand name gift products. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-2100. Special Events: The following list gives a selection of the major festivals and special events occuring annually in Palau: Apr/May Annual Fishing Derby (sports fishing event). Oct 1 Independence Day Celebrations. Social Conventions: Traditional Palauan society was a complex matriarchal system. The people are now amongst the most enterprising in the region, though a version of traditional beliefs, Modekngei, exists alongside the imported Christian beliefs. The political system is modelled on that of the USA, and Western culture is being assimilated – not least because of the many Palauans who continue their education abroad. Tipping: Optional. Business Profile Economy: Subsistence agriculture is a vital employer, with cassava, coconuts, bananas and sweet potatoes as the main crops. Fishing is valuable mainly through the sale of licences to large foreign fleets allowing them to operate within Palau’s 200-mile territorial limit. Industry is limited to small-scale light manufacturing, such as food-processing and boat-building. Foreign aid completes the country’s principal sources of revenue. Tourism has grown steadily during the last decade despite problems arising from the islands’ inaccessibility and a lack of investment, especially in basic infrastructure. Palau is a member of the two main regional economic organisations, the South Pacific Forum and the South Pacific Commission. Commercial Information: For further information contact the Palau Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 1742, Koror 96940 (tel: 488 3400; fax: 488 3401; e-mail: pcoc@palaunet.com). Conferences/Conventions: The Airai View Hotel in Koror can provide facilities for up to 150 delegates. For more information, contact the Airai View Hotel, PO Box 8067, Koror (tel: 587 3485 or 587 3530 or 587 3531; fax: 587 3533; e-mail: avh@palaunet.com; website: www.airaiview.com). Climate Palau enjoys a pleasantly warm climate all year round with an annual average temperature of 27°C (82°F). The heaviest rainfall takes place between July and October but typhoons are rare. Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens, with light rainwear advisable all year round. History and Government History: After liberation from Japanese occupation during World War II, Palau became part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, administered by the USA under a mandate from the United Nations in 1947. In 1986, the governments of Palau and the USA agreed the terms of a Compact of Free Association, similar to those reached with other Micronesian Trust members, which allows for virtual independence under a US defence umbrella. The Palau Compact, however, remained unsigned, because of a crucial clause forbidding the presence of any nuclear weapons on the islands, including visits by ships equipped to carry them. This was unacceptable to the USA, which therefore refused to sign the Compact until the clause was rescinded. The dispute over the Compact introduced a violent aspect into Palau’s politics – president Haruu Remeliik was assassinated in 1985; his successor, Lazarus Salii, committed suicide in August 1988. At the presidential election of November 1992, Kuniwo Nakamura won a narrow victory. A decision over the Compact could not be left much longer. The island was faced with a stark choice of accepting it or seeking full independence – a hazardous proposition for economic reasons. In October 1994, the Compact was endorsed and Palau was subsequently admitted to the UN in December 1994 and became a member of the IMF in 1997. Nakamura served a second term between 1996 and 2000, after which he was replaced by the current president, Tommy Remengesau. Economic issues have dominated the political agenda in recent years, as Palau attempts to deal with the typical problems of all Pacific islands – isolation and lack of infrastructure. Government: Executive authority is vested in the president, who is elected for a four-year term. Legislative authority rests with the bicameral National Congress, the Olbiil era Kelulau. In 1994, Palau achieved independence under the Compact of Free Association. 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