POPULATION 19,700
ROMAN CATHOLIC 42 percent
EVANGELICAL 22 percent
MODEKNGEI 9 percent
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST 6 percent
OTHER 6 percent
UNKNOWN OR NO RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION 15 percent

Country Overview

Introduction

The Republic of Palau, an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean, lies east of the Philippines and north of Papua New Guinea. After centuries of contact and trade with Western powers—as well as direct rule by Spain, Germany, Japan, and the United States—Palau became an independent country in free association with United States in 1994. The United States agreed to be responsible for Palau's defense and to assist it financially.

Prior to European contact in 1521 C.E., Palauans viewed their islands as a complete and closed universe that had been formed from the body of a fallen giant. Local gods created the forests and reefs to protect the giant's body, and people were thought to have come out of the body. Palau's first contact with...