Palau is not renowned for its landmarks. However, there are a number of exciting places to explore that will get tourists away from diving and snorkeling for a few hours. Koror is where much of the action is found, but some of the areas around the busiest island city are also home to key attractions. The Rock Islands are extremely fascinating natural works of art, especially for visitors who experience the Jellyfish Lake phenomenon. Cultural aspects of Palau are located in the must-visit Belau National Museum.
Palau, officially the Republic of Palau, is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, some 500 miles (800 km) east of the Philippines and 2,000 miles (3,200 km) south of Tokyo. Having emerged from United Nations trusteeship in 1994, it is one of the world's youngest and smallest sovereign states. In English, the name is sometimes spelled Belau in accordance with the native pronunciation. It was formerly also spelled Pelew.
Palau has a tropical climate with an annual mean temperature of 82 °F (28 °C). Rainfall is heavy throughout the year, averaging 150 inches (3,800 mm). The average humidity is 82% and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine.