Line #11 UsefulNotes/Palau


1	[[quoteright:330:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ps-map_2134.gif]]
2
3	The Republic of Palau ('''Palauan:''' ''Beluu er a Belau'') is an island nation in the geographic region of Micronesia (do not confuse with UsefulNotes/FederatedStatesOfMicronesia, they don’t like it).
4
5	The Palauan creation myth attributes the islands being made from [[GiantCorpseWorld the corpse of a giant]], who himself was born to a giant clam that answered to the spirits' plea for life by spitting it out one by one. The name Palau is traditionally derived from the word ''aibebelau'' ("indirect replies"), which refers to this myth, though linguists seem more inclined to believe that it came from the word ''beluu'', which means "village" or "territory".
6
7	The islands are located to the southeast of the UsefulNotes/{{Philippines}} and northeast of UsefulNotes/{{Indonesia}}, and it's believed that they were first settled by the ancestors of the Filipinos and Indonesians (or their close relatives) during the earliest stage of Austronesian expansion in the 3rd millennium BCE. Like Chamorro (the national language of UsefulNotes/{{Guam}}), the Palauan language is neither Micronesian nor Polynesian, and occupies a rather isolated place within the Malayo-Polynesian language family, as it doesn't seem to be closely related to any other Malayo-Polynesian language.
8
9	The Europeans discovered Palau in 1522. It was claimed for the Spanish Crown in 1710, and was ruled as part of the Spanish East Indies until 1899. Originally, in English, the country's name was spelled "Pelew". In 1783, the British ship ''Antelope'' was shipwrecked on the island, but the people helped the British repair it. In gratitude, its captain Henry Wilson agreed to bring back the king's son, Prince Le Boo, to visit Britain--unfortunately he died soon afterwards of smallpox, but it was one of the first introductions of Europeans to Pacific culture.
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11	After a ''very'' brief period in which it was controlled by the Philippines during the UsefulNotes/SpanishAmericanWar, Palau was handed over to UsefulNotes/ImperialGermany, as Spain restructured its assets by selling its Pacific territories for 25 million pesetas. Following UsefulNotes/WorldWarI, Germany was forced to give up all of its overseas territories, including Palau, which was assigned to UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan.
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13	During UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, the islands witnessed heavy fighting between the Japanese and Americans, who ultimately occupied them. Palau remained administered by the United States until 1994, when it ratified the Compact of Free Association, which recognized Palauan independence, though the U.S. will still provide matters in defense and social services. Micronesia had earlier ratified the compact in 1986, but Palau decided to delay it, as it didn't want to be gobbled up by Micronesia.
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15	The economy of the islands depends on fishing, agriculture and tourism. They have the first constitution free of nuclear tests in the world and they’re planning to be also the first country to protect sharks in their waters. Much like Guam, the country maintains a close relationship with UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}, which invests in projects, such as a bridge that connects the capital city, Koror, with the largest island, Babeldaob. Japanese is an official language in the state of Angaur, and the fact that the country's most popular sport is baseball is largely attributed to the Japanese.
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17	Media-wise, the country is the location of the filming of the film ''Film/HellInThePacific'' (starring Creator/ToshiroMifune and Creator/LeeMarvin); also, two seasons of ''Series/{{Survivor}}'' were filmed here, including the fan-favorite ''Survivor: Micronesia''. The country is also mentioned in a song of Music/{{Enya}}. Famous works set during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII in Palau include ''Series/ThePacific'' (of which 3 episodes focused on the Battle of Peleliu), the majority of the US Marine campaign in ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyWorldAtWar'', and ''VideoGame/RisingStorm'', which interestingly has two maps set here, Phosphate Plant, based on the one found on the island of Angaur, as well as Peleliu.
18	----
19	[[AC:The Palauan flag]]
20	https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/palau_flag_3213.png
21	->The sky blue field represents the Pacific Ocean, while the off-center light-yellow disc represents the reflection of the full moon, which Palauans consider a good omen.
22	----
23	[[AC:The Palauan national anthem]]
24
25	->Belau loba klisiich er a kelulul,
26	->El dimla ngarngii ra rechuodelmei
27	->Meng mengel uoluu er a chimol beluu,
28	->El ngar cheungel a rirch lomke sang.
29
30	->Bo dole ketek a kerruul er a belluad,
31	->Lolab a blakelreng ma duchelreng.
32	->Belau a chotil a klengar re kid,
33	->Mebo dorurtabedul msa klisichel.
34
35	->Bod kai ue reke dchim lokiu a reng,
36	->E dongedmokel ra dimla koted.
37	->Lomcheliu a rengrdel ma klebkellel,
38	->Lokiu a budch ma beltikelreng.
39
40	->Dios mo mek ngel tengat ra Be lumam,
41	->El dimla dikesam ra rechuodelmei,
42	->Beskemam a klisicham ma llemeltam,
43	->Lorrurt a klungiolam elmo ch'rechar.
44
45	--
46
47	->Palau is coming forth with strength and power,
48	->By the old ways abides still every hour.
49	->One country, safe, secure, one government
50	->Under the glowing, floating soft light stands.
51
52	->Let's build our economy's protecting fence
53	->With courage, faithfulness and diligence
54	->Our life is anchored in Palau, our land
55	->We with our might through life and death defend
56
57	->In spirit let's join hands, united, one
58	->Care for our homeland...from forefathers on
59	->Look after its concord, its glory keep
60	->Through peace and love and heart's devotion deep
61
62	->God bless our country, our island home always
63	->Our sweet inheritances from the ancient days
64	->Give us strength and power and all of the rights
65	->To govern with all eternity with might
66	----
67	[[AC:Government]]
68	* Unitary presidential constitutional republic under a non-partisan democracy
69	** President: Surangel Whipps Jr.
70	** Vice President: Uduch Sengebau Senior
71	** Senate President: Hokkons Baules
72	** House Speaker: Sabino Anastacio
73	** Chief Justice: Oldiais Ngiraikelau
74	** Chairman of Council of Chiefs: Alexander Merep
75	----
76	[[AC:Miscellaneous]]
77	* '''Capital:''' Ngerulmud
78	* '''Largest city:''' Koror
79	* '''Population:''' 17,907
80	* '''Area:''' 459 sq km (177 sq mi) (179th)
81	* '''Currency''': United States dollar ($) (USD)
82	* '''ISO-3166-1 Code:''' PW
83	* '''Country calling code:''' 680
84	* '''Highest point:''' Mount Ngerchelchuus (242 m/794 ft) (189th)

Context UsefulNotes / Palau