Palau is one of the smallest countries and an archipelago of over 500 islands in the western Pacific. It is a lovely country that may make you feel like you are in the heaven of the earth.
There are hundreds of facts about Palau to know. It is good to know about these facts before you visit. Koror, the largest city of Palau, has over 20,000 people.
It is the state comprising the main commercial center of the country. It is an island in this small country that is large, secret, and retains a vivid rural character.
You will find this place fresh, quiet, and crowd-free. Most people live in Babeldaob. Angaur, Koror, and Peleliu are together within the same barrier reef with Babeldaob. Angaur is an oceanic island.
The Kayangel Coral Atoll lies to the north of these islands. But the unpopulated Rock Islands are to the west of these islands. Let us discuss some interesting facts about Palau here.
Some Interesting Facts about Palau
There are many facts about this island that people are curious to know. It is a beautiful island in the pacific ocean. I have mentioned some basic facts about Palau below.
1. Airai Bai
There are many attractive places in this island country of the western Pacific Ocean. The Airai state is the second most populous area where more than 3000 people live.
It has an area of 44 km² and includes the main airport. The name of this airport is Roman Tmetuchl International Airport. If you visit Palau, you will find many things to discover on this small island.
The city is the meeting place of traditional Palauan people, best known for the so-called Bai. Each village had its Bai in this small country in the past.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Palau had a presence of more than 100 bais. The people of this small island used the typical Bai as a meeting hall for the governing bodies.
You will see it in the village square in the center serves as a community center made of quality wood. There are embellishments and typical thematic motifs and colors in it.
Unfortunately, the excessive rain was not kind to some of the Bais that still survive today. There are many things to learn about history and natural beauty.
You will still be able to view it because Palauans used them as a vital part of their daily lives. You can consider it as one of the facts about Palau.
2. Kaigun Sho
A fascinating WWII site in this small country is Kaigun Sho. During WWII, the Japanese utilized the Kaigun Sho as a communications hub. It is now a damaged shell house,
The building is next to a Japanese tank and many anti-aircraft weapons. The site is easy to find; go straight to the main road from Koror, bypassing the airport. Palau was a significant battleground during World War II.
The United States prepared for the recapture of the Philippines from Japan in World War. They also decided on an invasion of the Japanese mainland, including Okinawa.
This Small Island was a heavily fortified position of the Japanese Imperial Army. Kaigun Sho is proof of it. A dangerous battle took place in this place between the US and Japanese Army.
3. Melekeok
It is a valuable state on the central east coast of this majestic island country. The seat of the government of the country or the capital, Ngerulmud, is in this state.
It has long beaches, hills, steep ridges, rivers, and a natural freshwater lake. The name of this lake in the Republic of Palau is Lake Ngardok.
It has the Palau capital building, which serves as the administrative seat of Palau. It is an impressive building, as decent as the Melekeok. Be sure to take a picture of this almost dreamlike structure!
Melekeok consists of eight inhabited villages. These are Ngeburch, Ngeruling, Ngermelech, Ngerubesang, Melekeok, Ngeremecheluch, Ertong, and Ngerulmud.
4. Ngardmau Falls
The Ngardmau Falls in Babeldaob is the largest in Palau. This waterfall is about 30 meters high and 37 meters wide. You can visit this island to see the natural beauty of this waterfall.
You can see historical traces of the Japanese colonial time along the trail. Such as an old locomotive and other parts of the old railway system.
You can use a monorail or a zip line to Ngardmau Falls if you are not a hiker. It is one of the premier attractions of Babeldaob, without any doubt.
It flows from the tallest peak, 217m-high Mt Ngerchelchuus. It is the tallest waterfall in Micronesia. Do not miss a dive in the cool pools at the base of the falls.
5. Badrulchau Stone Monoliths
There are 24 monolith columns scattered in the ground. You will become astonished to see how these things stood the test of time for hundreds of years.
Experts believe that the people of this island made these monoliths around 150 AD. These ancient monoliths are one of the important archaeological sites in this country.
The purposes of these stone monuments are still not vivid. But many believe that they served as pillars for a bai. Bai is a type of traditional Palauan meeting house.
6. Giant Saltwater Crocodiles
Saltwater crocodiles are common in coastal mangroves and rock islands in this country. It is an aggressive species of crocodile, without any doubt.
But you will find only one fatal human attack by this creature in the modern history of this country. The attack occurred in the 1960s.
7. First Shark Sanctuary
People often treat sharks as monstrous bloodthirsty creatures. But the Palauans exhibited a different attitude towards these wondrous creatures.
They created the first sanctuary in the world to protect sharks in 2009. The government banned all commercial shark fishing activities within the sanctuary waters.
8. Weather of Palau
It has tropical rainforest weather with an average annual temperature of 28 ° C (82 ° F). Rainfall is plentiful throughout the year, averaging 3,800 mm (150 in).
The average humidity is 82%. Although it rains more between July and October, there is still plenty of sunlight. This country is at the extreme position of the typhoon belt.
Tropical disturbances develop near it each year though deadly tropical cyclones are rare. Bopha, Mike, and Haiyan are the only recorded systems to hit this country as cyclones.
Conclusion
There is no doubt about the beauty of this small island country in the Pacific ocean. Many people consider this place as heaven. It can give a heavenly touch to its visitor.
People from around the world visit this small island country every year. I have discussed the basic facts about Palau here. It may help you before your first visit to this heavenly place of the pacific ocean.