Passport to Palau

The Republic of Palau is located in the western portion of Micronesia, bordered by the Philippines to the northwest, Indonesia to the south-southwest and the Federated States of Micronesia to the east. Just north of the Equator (7°30'N 133°30'E) and outside of the typhoon zone, Palau enjoys a warm climate year-round, and thankfully typhoons are a rare occurrence. The average temperature is 82° with an average rainfall of 150 inches per year, keeping humidity about 82% most of the time. The most frequent rainfall is between July and October, but the sun still shines aplenty during this time. This curved archipelago in the western Caroline Islands runs approximately 93 miles north to south, and is a little over 15 miles at its widest point.

This small island nation consists of 250 islands (including the beautiful Rock Islands) encompassed within 16 states. Only 8 islands are permanently inhabited. The most populous island is that of Koror (part of the state of Koror), just south of the largest island, Babeldoab, where the capital Ngerulmud is located with in the state of Melekeok. The name for the islands in the Palauan language is Belau, likely derived from the Palauan word meaning "village". The islands vary from mountainous islands to low coral islands often fringed with barrier reefs. The large island of Babeldoab is volcanic in composition, while the numerous mushroom-shaped rock islands are made of limestone (raised coralline reef structures). The lush green vegetation of the islands against the beautiful deep blues and turquoise hews of the clear waters is truly something to behold.

With its unspoiled reefs, caves and walls, along with an unimaginable array of marine life, the tropical paradise of Palau is ranked as one of the world's best dive destinations by scuba aficionados.