While looking at a picture of Palau today, I began to wonder how many islands are required to be considered an archipelago. After wasting way too much time on it, the best I could narrow it down to was 'many'. This being an unacceptable answer, I am now throwing open the floor for debate. On the line is pride. You will have the opportunity to tell everyone how smart you are. And as if that weren't enough, I'll throw in a cup of Starbucks coffee and if I'm suitably impressed with the quality of the answer I receive, a state of Kansas jello mold as well. And while I await the answer to the age old question of how many is many, let me throw some facts at you. Located in the western Pacific, east of the Phillipines and southwest of Guam, it consists of more than 250 islands, thereby qualifying it as an archipelago. It as a Japanese stronghold during WWII and a US territory following the war until it became and independent nation in October 1994. The population of 21,000 speaks English, Japanese, Palauan, and 3 additional local languages. The currency is the US dollar although the primary industry - tourism - only brings in a per capita GDP of $9,000.
85,000 people visit this beautiful country every year where the average high remains a nearly constant 88º year round with the average low an equally constant 75º. So pack your bags, book your flight, and prepare to spend plenty of time sipping cool drinks in the shade of a palm tree in your hammock. And when you're there, be sure to find out how many islands are in an archipelago.
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