| Geography and Climate |
Palau is located in Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines. Area - comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Climate is hot and humid; wet season in May to November. Terrain of varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs. Elevation extreme has the lowest point in Pacific Ocean 0 m and highest point in Mount Ngerchelchauus 242 m. Natural resources are forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals.
Natural hazards are typhoons (June to December).
Environment—current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing.
Geography—note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain.
Ref. Anonymous, 1999 |