Palau

Palau is an island state in the western Pacific Ocean consisting of more than 340 islands, with a total land area of about 459 km² and an Exclusive Economic Zone of roughly 600,000 km². The archipelago includes both high volcanic islands and low coral atolls, resulting in a varied physical landscape of forested hills, limestone rock islands and coastal plains. The tropical maritime climate features high humidity and annual rainfall typically exceeding 3,500 mm, which supports dense vegetation but also limits large-scale agricultural development due to soil constraints and terrain.

Human settlement dates back several thousand years, with traditional subsistence systems based on agroforestry and fishing. The islands later came under Spanish, German and Japanese control before being administered by the United States after World War II. Palau became fully independent in 1994 under a Compact of Free Association. Since then, the primary sector has remained relatively small but important for rural livelihoods and food security.

Agriculture is largely subsistence-oriented and occupies only a limited share of the land area. Root crops such as taro and cassava are central to traditional farming systems, while coconut palms support small-scale copra production, typically ranging between 1,000 and 2,000 tonnes annually. Other crops include bananas, breadfruit and sweet potatoes. Livestock production is modest and consists mainly of pigs and poultry raised for local consumption.
Forests cover about 85% of Palau’s land area, reflecting the presence of extensive tropical rainforest on the larger islands. These forests provide timber for domestic use and contribute to watershed protection and biodiversity conservation, although commercial logging is minimal and timber production remains small-scale.

Marine resources are the most significant component of the primary sector. Palau’s surrounding waters support diverse reef and offshore fisheries. Total fish production, including subsistence and commercial catch, is generally estimated at around 5,000–7,000 tonnes annually, supplying domestic markets and supporting limited export activity. Coastal fisheries are essential for local diets, while offshore tuna fishing contributes additional economic value.
Aquaculture is still developing but includes small-scale cultivation of species such as giant clams and milkfish. Overall, Palau’s primary sector reflects the environmental characteristics of a tropical island archipelago, with limited agricultural output, extensive forest cover primarily serving ecological functions, and fisheries playing a central role in food security and economic activity.

In 2019 Gerold visited Palau as last country of Oceania. All is so far away from Germany, he was happy to have this area done, never again a MUST to here. He spent 4 days on this little island and did a wonderfull snorkeling tour..