[buh-lou] 
| Republic of, a group of Pacific islands in the W part of the Caroline group: taken by U.S. forces after severe fighting 1944; formerly a Japanese mandate, then under U.S. trusteeship; gained independence 1981. 13,519; 171 sq. mi. (443 sq. km). |
| Be·lau (bə-lou') See Palau. |
| Pa·lau (pä-lou', pə-) A nation consisting of about 200 islands and islets in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean. When most of the Carolines became the Federated States of Micronesia in 1978, Palau chose to form a separate republic in free association with the United States, an arrangement that became effective in 1994. The capital is Melekeok. Population: 20,800. |