Countries

Palau

Palau is an island nation in the western Pacific, east of the Philippines, made up of about 340 islands of which only a handful are inhabited. Independent since 1994 in free association with the United States, it is known for its coral reefs and declared the world's first shark sanctuary in 2009.

Forested limestone islets of the Rock Islands rising steeply from calm blue water, Palau

The Rock Islands

Photo: Luka Peternel, CC BY-SA 4.0

Blue for the Pacific Ocean and the yellow disc for the full moon, which Palauans see as the best time for fishing, planting and celebration. Adopted in 1981.

How it has changed

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