WorldIslands
Where the name comes from
Palau adapts Belau, its Palauan name; one traditional story links it to aidebelau, “indirect replies”, and the giant Chuab, but its origin is uncertain.
First people
Pacific voyagers settled Palau thousands of years ago.1
Known for
Palau is known for its Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake, and it created one of the first shark sanctuaries in 2009.2
Outside rule
Spain’s claim was upheld in 1885, Germany bought the islands in 1899, and Japan occupied them in 1914 and ruled them under a mandate from 1920.3,4,5,6
The modern country
US forces took them in 1944, US trusteeship began in 1947, and independence followed in 1994 under a Compact of Free Association that makes the US responsible for its defence.7,8
