LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Palau: Rock Islands
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Palau, officially the Republic of Palau, is an island nation. It is the Pacific Ocean. Palau is 300 miles (500 km) east of the Philippines. It got independence from United Nations trusteeship administration (administered by the United States of America) in 1994. It is one of the world's youngest and smallest nations. It is sometimes referred to in English under its native name Belau.
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Palau reefs are hosts to over 300 species of coral, nine species of sea grass, and 2,000 species of fish. Each member of this ecosystem depends the others to survive. When one piece of the link is removed, all other living things suffer. For example, in the mid-1980s, fishermen caught many parrot fish near Cook Island. The parrot fish are an integral part of the coral reef ecosystem because they eat the excess algae, which allows the coral to survive. The result was that algae growth soon overtook the coral and killed it. Some of the wildlife and unique features of Palau's ecosystem are highlighted above.
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Culturally, Palau has a classic, Pacific Island lifestyle that underlies the region's customs, art and music. The native islanders are a strong, attractive race whose sun-tanned faces are frequently lit by brilliant smiles. Along with this, there's an unchallenging acceptance of others, their ways and their speech that creates a relaxed, unpressured social atmosphere.
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Palau's per capita GDP of $7,921 makes it one of the wealthier Pacific Island states. Nominal GDP increased by an annual average of nearly 14% from 1983 to 1990, and by an annual rate of over 10% from 1991 to 1997. Growth turned sharply negative in 1998 and 1999 as a result of the Asian financial crisis, but there has been a gradual rebound in recent years and the economy grew by 5.4% in 2005.
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For sun seekers, Palau's best beaches are found on the Rock Islands, Babeldaob and Peleliu, but most islands have a few lovely spots to toss down your towel. Local sportfishing catches include marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahi-mahi and wahoo. There are ... tennis, running and - increasingly - kayaking possibilities on Koror, if underwater watersports aren't your bag.
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Peleliu: The island of Peleliu, at the southern tip of the main archipelago of Palau, is bordered by magnificent walls. The dive sites include Peleliu Corner, Yellow Wall, and Orange Beach, among others. Peleliu dive sites are mainly steep walls covered with sea fans, sea whips, hard corals and anemones, but dominated by soft corals. Peleliu is an excellent place to observe large pelagic life, particularly sharks.
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