Situated in Micronesia, in the west of the Pacific Ocean, the island of Palau is the favorite destination of sea lovers. With an economy based on the triangle of tourism, agriculture and fishing, the island is a republic in free association with the United States, which provides defense, funding, and access to social services. The colonization has other cultural reflexes: it makes Christianity, either Catholic or Protestant, the main local religion, more popular than Modekngal, a cult of local origin. The language is another example, since English shares space with Japanese, Palauan, Tobian and Sonsorolese as official languages.
Globalization also contributes to make life easier for tourists, since the American dollar is Palau’s official currency. With a peculiar map, the Republic of Palau has a total area of only 459km2 – comparatively a little bit larger than Sorocaba, in São Paulo – and is made up of no fewer than eight islands and over 250 islets and atolls. Melekeok (the capital of the country), Koror – the ancient capital, with over 12 thousand inhabitants , which represents two thirds of the population (20,000 people) – Angaur, Babeldaob, and Peleliu are the main regions of Palau.
Diving in Palau
Biologists note that Palau and Yap concentrate the greatest marine biodiversity in the world, due to three sea currents that run through the region, bringing huge amounts of nutrients and attracting whales, sharks and an infinity of fish, besides sea turtles, manta rays and salt water crocodiles. Besides this attraction, diving is benefited by the temperature of the water, which varies from 26.5 to 28⁰C.
Palau’s cuisine
The cookery has the best taste of the sea, of course. Seafood in general, fish and mussels are the most consumed, but some people try the exotic crocodile meat. To drink, there’s a variety of juices, but as for water, only bottled water is consumed.
Entering the country
To enter Palau, the tourist needs a valid passport, round trip tickets, and filling in an entry and customs form (If baggage exceeds 10 thousand dollars – it is important to declare the amount). Vaccine certificates are unnecessary. In case of a stay of over 30 days, one must apply for an extension of permanence period.
