A man carries gear into Ucheliuns Cave in Palau. Humans have lived on Palau for more than 4,000 years and have used the archipelago's numerous limestone caves for many purposes, including as burial grounds. Bones of diminutive humans found in one Palauan cave have fueled an ongoing debate about the possibility of a unique, archaic human species.
Rising from the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean, the many islands and islets of Palau are home to pristine coral reefs, dense jungles, and ancient caves.
Scattered about the world's largest ocean, the legendary islands of the South Pacific are a wonder to travelers, full of beautiful sights and fascinating cultures.
