Palau (Pacific Island Guide)



Palau is the smallest nation in the world. It is the westernmost cluster of the 6 major island groups that make up the Caroline Islands. Population in the year 2000 was 19,129. The archipelago includes more than 200 islands, of which 8 are inhabited. The religious majority is Roman Catholic.

The LDS Church had 426 members here, with one district (Koror) and 2 branches in the year 2008.

Research Help

 * Pacific Island Guide to Family History Research

Historical background
700 A.D. Chinese made contact with the Micronesian and Polynesian inhabitants. 1525 Spanish arrived 1886 Spain took control. 1899 After the Spanish-American war, the islands were sold to Germany. 1914 The Japanese occupied the islands. 1920 League of Nations mandated civil administration by the Japanese. The Japanese population rose to over 100,000. The indigenous population was 40,000. 1934 They were annexed to Japan. 1942 Bombed and occupied by the Americans during World War II 1947 The United Nations placed Palau under U.S. administration as a trust territory (TTPI). A High Commissioner was appointed administrators for each district.. 1951 The U.S. Navy Dept.’s authority was passed to the U.S. Department of the Interior. 1979 The districts become states of the Federation, a judicial system was established, and an orderly transfer of government from the U.S. to the Federal States of Micronesia is made. 1986 Palau becomes an independent part of the Federated States of Micronesia. 1994 Palau becomes independent, in free association with the USA.