Micronesia · OceaniaPalau
Discover Palau - a pristine Pacific archipelago of 340 limestone and coral islands, home to the world's first shark sanctuary and some of the best diving on the planet.
Where Is Palau?
Palau is a country in Micronesia, Oceania. Its capital is Ngerulmud.
- Capital Ngerulmud
- Population 17.7K
- Area 459 km²
Palau is what happens when 340 limestone and coral islands are scattered across the western Pacific with some of the most pristine marine ecosystems left on Earth. The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a surreal seascape of mushroom-shaped limestone islets rising from impossibly blue water, surrounded by reefs so healthy they look like a nature documentary come to life. Divers come from around the world for the Blue Corner wall dive, where currents bring in sharks, manta rays, and enormous schools of fish.
But Palau is not just a dive destination - it is a conservation leader. In 2009, it created the world's first national shark sanctuary, banning all commercial shark fishing across its waters. In 2015, it established one of the largest marine protected areas on Earth, covering 80% of its exclusive economic zone. And since 2017, every visitor's passport gets stamped with the Palau Pledge, a promise to act responsibly and protect the islands for future generations. With only about 18,000 people, Palau punches far above its weight in showing the world what ocean stewardship can look like.
At a glance
Largest cities in Palau
Ngerulmud
Koror
Famous people from Palau
Haruo Remeliik
PoliticsFirst President of Palau after independence, who led the country through its transition to sovereignty
Tommy Remengesau Jr.
PoliticsPresident who established the Palau National Marine Sanctuary and pioneered the world-first Palau Pledge for tourists
Traditional cuisine of Palau
- Tinola
- Hearty soup with chicken or fish, ginger, and green papaya, reflecting Palau's Filipino and Pacific culinary influences
- Taro
- The traditional staple crop, grown in ancient terraces across Babeldaob, served boiled, steamed, or as a dessert
- Fruit Bat Soup
- Traditional Palauan delicacy of whole fruit bat simmered in coconut milk and ginger, served at special occasions
- Fresh Sashimi
- Ultra-fresh tuna and reef fish sliced raw with soy sauce and wasabi, a staple influenced by Japan's colonial era
Nature and landmarks in Palau
- Rock Islands Southern LagoonIsland
- UNESCO World Heritage Site of over 400 mushroom-shaped limestone islets in turquoise water, one of the planet's most stunning seascapes
- Jellyfish LakeLake
- Marine lake on Eil Malk island where millions of golden jellyfish have evolved to be stingless, creating a surreal swimming experience
- Blue CornerCoast
- One of the world's top dive sites where ocean currents attract massive congregations of sharks, rays, and pelagic fish
- Ngardmau WaterfallRiver
- Palau's tallest waterfall on Babeldaob island, reached by a jungle trail through old-growth forest and abandoned terraces
Sports in Palau
- Baseball
- The most popular sport in Palau, a legacy of Japanese and later American influence, played in leagues across Koror
- Diving
- Palau is consistently ranked among the world's top diving destinations, with underwater visibility often exceeding 60 meters
Did you know?
Palau created the world's first national shark sanctuary in 2009, banning commercial shark fishing in its entire exclusive economic zone
The Palau Pledge, stamped into every visitor's passport since 2017, is a promise to protect the islands - the world's first eco-pledge for tourism
Jellyfish Lake contains millions of golden jellyfish that have lost their sting through evolution, making it safe to swim among them
Ngerulmud is the world's least populated national capital, with only about 400 people in the entire government complex area
Palau's 80% marine sanctuary is one of the largest on Earth, covering an ocean area roughly the size of France
Traditional Palauan society is matrilineal - land and titles are passed through the mother's line
Can you find Palau on a map?
Drop a pin where you think it is and see how close you got. A few rounds and you will place Palau and its neighbours without a second thought.
