The majority of believers are Christians (78%), among which 49% are Catholics and 21% are Protestants. About 9% of the believing population are adherents of the traditional “modeknegi” belief, based on the worship of spirits.
Transport in Palau
The Republic of Palau can be reached by plane with transfers in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Manila. The country’s only international airport is located on the island of Babeltuap.
The best way to get around the island of Babeltuap is by rented car, and you should only rent SUVs and jeeps, because the condition of the roads is not very good. Tourists planning to stay in the country for no more than 30 days can drive a car with a driver’s license issued in their country. There is a bus service on Koror Island. Also in the Koror Islandsand Babeltuap, you can use taxi services, the fare is negotiable and most often does not depend on the duration of the trip. The islands of Koror, Peleliu and Angaur are connected by local airlines. Private boats also run between all the islands of the country.
Plant and Animal World in Palau
Mangrove thickets are found along the coasts of the large islands, savannas and groves of coconut palms and pandanus stretch inside the islands, and tropical rainforests on the hillsides. On the coral islands, there are free-standing palm trees.
Of the animals on the islands of Palau, reptiles live, among which are two types of crocodiles, monitor lizards and non-venomous snakes, monkeys and fruit bats. In addition, there are 32 species of birds and many insects. More than 1,500 species of marine fish, more than 700 varieties of corals and sponges live in the coastal waters of the Republic of Palau, which makes the country’s underwater world one of the richest in the world. Under water you can see a variety of fish, ranging from triggerfish, snappers, butterflyfish, argus and barracuda to Napoleon wrasse and reef sharks. There are also poisonous sea snakes, molluscs, green turtles and rare hawksbill turtles, rays, manta rays, cuttlefish and rare dugongs (manatees).
Minerals in Palau
The islands have deposits of bauxite and gold.
Banks in Palau
Banks are most often open from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00. Some banks are also open on Saturdays.
Money in Palau
The official currency of Palau is the US dollar. 1 US dollar is equal to 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars and coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1 dollar.
Credit cards and traveler’s checks are widely accepted in Palau. ATMs can be seen in large retail outlets. Traveler’s checks are recommended to be purchased in US dollars. If you are going on a trip outside the islands of Koror and Babeltuap, it is better to have cash with you.
Currency: US dollar (USD)
Political State in Palau
Since 1994, Palau has been an independent democratic republic in “free association” with the United States. According to politicsezine, the head of state and government is the president, who is elected for a four-year term by popular vote. The executive power is concentrated in the hands of the government, the legislative power is vested in the government and the bicameral National Assembly, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Under the agreement on free association, the United States decides on defense, finance and foreign policy issues.
Population in Palau
About 70% of the population belong to the Palau (Belau) people, which is part of the Micronesian group of peoples. Polynesians, Melanesians, Filipinos, Chinese and Japanese also live on the islands.
Language:
The official languages of Palau are English and Palau (Belau). English is used in business and politics, while Belau is used in everyday communication. Both languages are taught in schools. Languages such as Sonsorales, Angavre, Tobi and Japanese are also common, and on some islands they are official and replace the Palau language.
Cuisine in Palau
Palau’s cuisine draws on Polynesian, Melanesian, Japanese, Filipino and American culinary traditions. Coconut milk and copra, cassava tubers (tapioca), taro and yams, as well as pork and all kinds of seafood are the basis of most dishes.
It is interesting to try the local alcoholic drink made from coconut, a drink made from kava-kava fruits and betel leaves, which are chewed by almost all the inhabitants of the islands.
