Palau - in pictures

  • Emmaimellei Fritz, Republic of Palau pavilion guide and liaison officer at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Emmaimellei Fritz, Republic of Palau pavilion guide and liaison officer at Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Located 890 kilometres east of the Philippines in the Micronesian region of the Pacific Ocean, Palau is an archipelago of more than 500 islands with a fascinating history. Photo: Alamy Stock Photo
    Located 890 kilometres east of the Philippines in the Micronesian region of the Pacific Ocean, Palau is an archipelago of more than 500 islands with a fascinating history. Photo: Alamy Stock Photo
  • Palau is blessed with rich natural resources. Photo: Pixabay
    Palau is blessed with rich natural resources. Photo: Pixabay
  • Palau has more species of marine life than any other area of similar size in the world and also the highest concentration of marine lakes – unique biospheres that have been separated from the ocean by land barriers and continue to yield discoveries of new species. Photo: Charly W Karl / Flickr
    Palau has more species of marine life than any other area of similar size in the world and also the highest concentration of marine lakes – unique biospheres that have been separated from the ocean by land barriers and continue to yield discoveries of new species. Photo: Charly W Karl / Flickr
  • Tourism is the main industry in Palau but thanks to its isolation, the country has only had three cases of Covid-19. More than 90 per cent of its inhabitants are vaccinated. Photo: Unsplash
    Tourism is the main industry in Palau but thanks to its isolation, the country has only had three cases of Covid-19. More than 90 per cent of its inhabitants are vaccinated. Photo: Unsplash
  • Palau has become the first country to ban reef-toxic sunscreen.
    Palau has become the first country to ban reef-toxic sunscreen.
  • The Palau Pledge is stamped in the passport of every visitor to the Micronesian nation. Visitors must sign the pledge and promise to tread lightly on the land. Photo: The Palau Legacy Project
    The Palau Pledge is stamped in the passport of every visitor to the Micronesian nation. Visitors must sign the pledge and promise to tread lightly on the land. Photo: The Palau Legacy Project
  • A downed Second World War aircraft in the waters around Palau, which attracts adventurous scuba divers. Photo: Unsplash
    A downed Second World War aircraft in the waters around Palau, which attracts adventurous scuba divers. Photo: Unsplash