1st October: Palau Independence Day

Today is Palau Independence day, so here are ten things you may not know about this island nation:

1. The Republic of Palau is an island country located in the western Pacific Ocean. It contains approximately 250 islands, which form the western chain of the Caroline Islands in Micronesia. The most populous is Koror. The capital Ngerulmud is located on the nearby island of Babeldaob. It replaced Koror as capital in 2006.
2. The area is 465 km2, which is about twice the size of Washington DC, or about the size of the English county of Rutland. The population is 17,948, about half that of Rutland.
3. The name for the islands in the Palauan language, Belau, likely derives from the Palauan word for "village", An archaic name for the islands in English was the "Pelew Islands".
4. Palau is home to the world's first shark sanctuary. Shark fishing is banned throughout its economic zone, an area about the size of France.
5. The political system is similar to that of the USA, but retains some traditional elements. A Council of Chiefs each representing one of the states are advisers to the President. These positions are hereditary. Palau is matriarchal and the chiefs are representing the matriarchs who have the power to replace the chief if they are not satisfied with him.
6. Religion in Palau is also a bit of a mixture. Most of the population are Christians, but there is also a hybrid religion called Modekngei whose followers believe in the Christian God and recognise Jesus Christ as the saviour while simultaneously making appeasements to ancient Palauan goddesses. The small town of Ibobang in Ngatpang state, is a community devoted to the practice of Modekngei. It's quite strict. No alcohol or drug use is allowed, and no alcohol or drugs are allowed within the city limits at all. This law comes from traditional beliefs as much as from Christianity - the people believe bringing booze or drugs in will annoy a local goddess, who will send terrible storms their way if the law is broken. Children in the village are required to be home by dark and abstain from making loud noises in sacred places. Members of the religion attend church every day and must walk to the service in silence. Women are not allowed to wear Trousers in church, or even while passing the building. Women do wear trousers in Ibobang, but will go out of their way to avoid passing the church while wearing them.
7. The highest point is Mount Ngerchelchauus at 242m located on Babeldaob.
8. The Flag is Blue (representing the sea) with an off-centre Yellow disc which represents the Moon rather than the Sun.
9. The 1968 film Hell in the Pacific starring Lee Marvin was shot in Palau.
10. Tourism is very important to the economy. Tourist activity focuses on scuba diving and snorkelling around the barrier reefs and World War II wrecks. There is also a lake full of Jellyfish that is very popular with snorkellers. The lake is connected to the sea, but is nevertheless a closed environment, which has led to millions of Moon and Golden jellyfish being trapped there. These jellyfish have evolved separately to their cousins in the sea. Instead of drifting with the tide, they actively migrate across the lake each day following the arc of the sun. Their stings have weakened so they are not harmful to humans.