Koror-Palau (Palau Islands)

Koror is an island, principal seaport and capital city of ROP (Republic of Palau/aka Palau Islands). The state consists of several islands, the most prominent of which is Koror Island.

Since 2023, Koror Port (locode PWROR) is the homeport of the ultra-luxury catamaran-type superyacht Four Seasons Explorer (2002-built) operated by Four Seasons Yachts. Until 2023, FS Explorer was deployed in the Maldives/Baa Atoll.

Palau Islands have land area approx 465 km2 (180 mi2) and population around 18,000. Much of Palau's economy is based on tourism (including by cruise ship passengers), also on agriculture and commercial fishing,. However, a significant portion of its GNP is derived from foreign aid (mainly from the USA).

Among the most popular tour activities is scuba diving (facilities and shops are located all over Koror), as well as restaurants, bars, cafes, resorts and hotels. Dolphins Pacific (the world's largest dolphin research facility) is open for tourists interested in interacting and swimming with trained dolphins. Since 2001, Koror Jail (the country's only correctional facility) is also a tourist attraction with inmates creating and selling wooden storyboards at a retail shop in the jail.

In the first months of WW1 (1914-18), the Japanese army occupied all Germany-owned islands north of the equator (including Palau) part of German New Guinea. Politically, today Palau (similarly to RMI-Marshall Islands) is an independent presidential republic and free-associated state, with the USA providing its defense, funding and social services. Palau's official currency is USD. During WW2 (1939-45), after the Battle of Peleliu (Sept-Nov 1944), the USA occupied Palau and all islands formally passed to the USA (under UN auspices from 1947).

Koror Island

Koror Island has population of around 14,000, which is around 70% of the country's entire population. The city of Koror is Palau's former capital and largest town (population around 12,000). In 2006, the city of Ngerulmud (on Babeldaob Island) became Palau's capital.

Koror Island is connected (via bridges) to 3 neighboring isles - Ngerekebesang Island (to the west, where is country's 2nd-largest town - Meyuns), Malakal Island (to the southeast, where Koror's port is located) and Babeldaob Island (to the north, where is the capital city Ngerulmud and Koror Airport).

Babeldaob Island

Babeldaob is among the Pacific Ocean's most underdeveloped big-sized islands. This is Micronesia's 2nd largest - after Guam Island - with a total land area of 331 km2 (128 mi2), which is over 70% of the Palau's entire territory. Its population is around 6,000 (or roughly 30% of the palau's population). The island is located northeast of Koror Island. In its northern part are the Ngerulmud (capital city), while the Airai Airport (aka Koror International Airport) is in its southern part. The Koror-Babeldaob Bridge has length 413 m (1355 ft) and connects Babeldaob to Koror Island. The capital city Ngerulmud is located approx 20 km (12 mi) northeast of Koror.

During the whole WW2, Babeldaob Island was occupied by a Japanese garrison of around 21,500 army men and around 8,300 navy men.

Ngerekebesang Island

On Ngerekebesang Island there are 3 towns: Ngerekebesang, Meyuns, and Echang. In Meyuns is Palau's largest hospital ("Belau National Hospital"). Ngerkebesang Island is connected with Koror Island by a causeway, originally built during WW2 by the Japanese.

Malakal Island

Malakal Island is where Koror's seaport (cargo and cruise ship) is located. Here is also Palau's national radio station.

Koror-Palau cruise terminal