Babeldaob

Babeldaob is the largest island of Palau, located in the western Pacific Ocean. It forms the eastern part of the Palauan archipelago and accounts for most of the country’s land area. The interior comprises upland rainforest, limestone karst, and a network of rivers, with coastal mangroves along its shores. The island has a tropical, humid climate with a pronounced wet season.

Administration and geography: Babeldaob hosts several Palauan states and is the site of the national capital, Ngerulmud, located in Melekeok State on the central coast. Airai on Babeldaob is a major population center and hosts Palau’s international airport, linking the island to other parts of Palau and to overseas destinations.

History: The island has been inhabited for thousands of years and contains important archaeological and cultural sites. It passed from German colonial administration to the Japanese South Seas Mandate, and after World War II became part of the U.S.-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Palau achieved independence in 1994 under the Compact of Free Association, with Babeldaob playing a central role in national governance and landholding.

Economy and environment: The economy blends subsistence farming, fishing, and small-scale commerce, with growing tourism focused on natural and cultural attractions. Babeldaob’s ecosystems include tropical rainforest and coastal habitats, which are protected in part by conservation efforts, though development and land-use pressures remain.