National Geographic Feature on Palau

Located in the western Pacific, the more than 250 islands that constitute Palau—a Japanese stronghold during World War II—were assigned to U.S. administration by the United Nations in 1947. Economically tied to the U.S., the territory became an independent nation in October 1994. About 70 percent of Palauans live in the capital city of Koror on the island of Koror. Tourism is the country's main industry, with the rich marine environment inviting snorkeling and scuba diving. Read on...

Photo credit: Tim Laman