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'''Palau''' is a nation composed of about 200 islands located in the western Pacific Ocean, 528&nbsp;mi (650&nbsp;km) southeast of the Philippines. Only eight of the islands are permanently inhabited. They vary geologically from the high mountainous largest island, Babelthuap, to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs.<ref>http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107866.html Infoplease.com - Palau:History, Geography, Government and Culture</ref><ref>https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ps.html</ref>

'''Palau''' is a nation composed of about 200 islands located in the western Pacific Ocean, 528&nbsp;mi (650&nbsp;km) southeast of the Philippines. Only eight of the islands are permanently inhabited. They vary geologically from the high mountainous largest island, Babelthuap, to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs.<ref>http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107866.html Infoplease.com - Palau:History, Geography, Government and Culture</ref><ref>https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ps.html</ref>

Palau adopted its constitution in 1980 and became a self-governing republic in 1981.  

Palau adopted its constitution in 1980 and became a self-governing republic in 1981.  

On October 1, 1994 Palau gained its independence and currently enjoys a [[Compact of Free Association]] with the United States - under the terms of which the United States is responsible for Palau's defense.

On October 1, 1994 Palau gained its independence and currently enjoys a Compact of Free Association with the United States - under the terms of which the United States is responsible for Palau's defense.

In 2005, Palau was given $12.8 million in foreign aid from the US<ref>http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-129514/Compact-of-Free-Association Compact of Free Association (Oceanic-United States relations)</ref>

In 2005, Palau was given $12.8 million in foreign aid from the US<ref>https://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-129514/Compact-of-Free-Association Compact of Free Association (Oceanic-United States relations)</ref>

== Facts and Figures ==

== Palau during World War 2 ==

 

 

 

 

 

[[File:Macarthur1.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|General [[Douglas MacArthur]] ]]

 

Currency: US Dollar

 

 

 

By 1944 Palau had lost all strategic significance both to the U.S. and to the Japanese. Admiral Chester Nimitz made the decision not to bypass the scheduled invasion of Palau over senior staff recommendations. Denying the Japanese the use of Palau's tiny airfield so that they could not threaten General [[Douglas MacArthur]]'s upcoming Philippine campaign was offered as a reason not to cancel the invasion. The codename for the battle was Operation Stalemate.<ref>Peleliu: Tragic Triumph: The Untold Story of the Pacific War’s Forgotten Battle,  Bill D. Ross</ref>  

By 1944 Palau had lost all strategic significance both to the U.S. and to the Japanese. Admiral Chester Nimitz made the decision not to bypass the scheduled invasion of Palau over senior staff recommendations. Denying the Japanese the use of Palau's tiny airfield so that they could not threaten General [[Douglas MacArthur]]'s upcoming Philippine campaign was offered as a reason not to cancel the invasion. The codename for the battle was Operation Stalemate.<ref>Peleliu: Tragic Triumph: The Untold Story of the Pacific War’s Forgotten Battle,  Bill D. Ross</ref>  

== Guantanamo Detainees ==

== Guantanamo Detainees ==

In June 2009, the government of Palau agreed to accept 17 detainees from [[Guantanamo|Guantanamo Bay]], one of the first steps in the [[Obama Administration|Obama administration's]] plan to close down that center.  The detainees were Chinese [[Uighur]]s.

In June 2009, the government of Palau agreed to accept 17 detainees from [[Guantanamo|Guantanamo Bay]], one of the first steps in the [[Obama Administration|Obama administration's]] plan to close down that center.  The detainees were Chinese [[Uighur]]s.

== See also ==

== See also ==

*[[Philippines]]

*[[Philippines]]

*[[World War II]]

*[[World War II]]

*[[United States of America]]

*[[United States of America]]

*[[Battle of Tarawa]]

*[[Battle of Tarawa]]

== External links ==

== External links ==

* [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ps.html CIA -The World Fact Book - Palau]

* [https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ps.html CIA -The World Fact Book - Palau]

* [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107866.html Infoplease.com - Palau:History, Geography, Government and Culture]

* [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107866.html Infoplease.com - Palau:History, Geography, Government and Culture]

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]

[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]

[[Category:Archipelagos]]

[[Category:Archipelagos]]