Palau
Scouting in Palau is presently in a state of development and growth. Scouting has existed in the islands since at least the 1970s, and may have been developed as early as the 1950s.
Like the other former Trust Territories of the Pacific, Boy Scouting in Palau is presently developing as part of the Aloha Council Pacific Basin District
The Republic of Palau became an independent nation on October 1, 1994 in part with the implementation of the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the United States of America.
Palau stretches from about 2 to 8 degrees north latitude and 131 to 135 degrees east longitude. It is about 500 miles equidistant from the Philippines to the west and from Papua New Guinea to the south. It consists of more than 340 islands, of which only 9 are inhabited. These are, from Northeast to Southwest: Kayangel, Babeldaob, Koror, Peliliu, Angaur, Sonsorol, Pulo Anna, Hatohobei, and Helen Reef. Most of the islands are of volcanic origin, and others are of raised limestone. Babeldaob is the largest island, making up 80 percent of the total land area. Babeldaob Island consists of ten states, namely, Airai, Aimeliik, Ngeremlengui, Ngerchelong, Ngchesar, Melekeok, Ngiwal, Ngaraard, Ngardmau and Ngatpang States. Including the states in Babeldaob, there are altogether 16 States in Palau.
Palau covers 189 square miles of land area including rock islands. The surrounding sea area is very large, including an exclusive economic zone extending over 237,850 square miles. The capital of Palau is located in Koror with a land area of 7.1 square miles where two thirds of the population resides. Koror lies just south of Micronesia’s second largest island, Bebeldaob, which contains 153 square miles of undulating forests, grasslands, rivers, waterfalls, wetlands, mangroves and some of the most beautiful stretches of beaches.