is an archipelago of about 300 islands of which only 9 are inhabited. The island group is located about 1,000 miles south of Guam and 1,000 miles east of the Phillipines. Though it has most recently gained some recognition as the latest film set for Survivor, Palau is most well known among marine biologists and avid scuba divers.
Geography
Palau's most populated islands are Angaur, Babeldaob, Koror(科洛), and Peleliu. The latter three lie together within the same barrier reef, while Angaur is an Oceanic Island several miles to the South. About two-thirds of the population lives on Koror. The coral atoll of Kayangel is situated north of these islands, while the uninhabited Rock Islands (about 200) are situated to the west of the main island group. A remote group of six islands, known as the Southwest Islands, some 375 miles (600 km) from the main islands, are also part of the country and make up the States of Hatohobei and Sonsorol.
Climate
Palau enjoys a tropical climate all year round with an annual mean temperature of 27 °C. Rainfall can occur throughout the year, averaging a total of 3,800 mm. The average humidity over the course of the year is 82%, and although rain falls more frequently between July and October, there is still much sunshine. Typhoons are rare, as Palau is outside the main typhoon zone.
Environment
While much of Palau's natural environment remains free of environmental degradation, there are several areas of concern, including illegal fishing with the use of dynamite, inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste in Koror, and extensive sand and coral dredging in the Palau lagoon. Like the other Pacific island nations, a potential major environmental threat is global warming and the related rising of sea level. Water coverage of low-lying areas is a threat to coastal vegetation, agriculture, and the purity of the nation's water supply. Palau also has a problem with inadequate water supply and limited agricultural areas to support the size of the population. The nation is also vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic activity, and tropical storms. Sewage treatment is a problem, along with the handling of toxic waste from fertilizers and biocides.
Economy
Palau's economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. Tourist activity focuses on scuba diving and snorkeling in the islands' rich marine environment, including the Floating Garden Islands to the west of Koror and the Rock Islands to the south. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 50,000 in the financial year 2000/2001. The population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-term prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
Question
1、Have you been to any tropic countries such as Puket in Thailand, Bali in Indonesia, Guam and Palau, etc? What's the difference between travelling in these places and travelling in modern countries such as Japan or America?
2、 The most attractive feature in tropic countries are water activities such as scuba diving, banana boat and extraction parachute . Do you like these activities? Do you have any kind of experience to share with us?
3、What countries will be your next site to visit? Why?
4、Before you read the article, do you know where Palau is? And what is your impression of Palau?
5、When traveling in other countries, do you think how to enjoy the trip? What is the most important thing we need to do?
6、Which country is this? (Palau, Bali, Hawaii, Guam)
A)
1)Official languages :English and Chamorro
2)Area:541.3 km2 (192nd)
3)Population: 173,456 estimated in 2007
4)Flag:
(5)Location:
(B)
1)Area: 29,311 km2
2)Population: 1,211,537
3)Official Languages: English, Hawaiian
4)Flag:
(5)Location:
(C)
1) an Indonesian island
2) Population: recorded as 3,151,000 in 2005
3) Area: 5,632.86 km2
4) Religion: Hindu (93.18%), Muslim (4.79%), Christian (1.38%), Buddhist (0.64%)
5) Official Languages: Indonesian (official), Balinese
6) Flag:
(7)Location:
(D)
1)Area: 458 sq km
2)Population: 20,579 (July 2006 est.)
3)Language: English and Palauan; also Sonsorolese, Tobi, Angaur, Japanese
4)Flag:
(5)Location:
Agenda
Session I:
2:15 ~ 2:30 Greeting / Ordering Beverage or Meal
2:30 ~ 2:40 Opening Remarks / New comers' Self-introduction / Grouping
2:40 ~ 3:10 First Group Discussion
3:10 ~ 3:25 First Summarization
3:25 ~ 3:30 Regrouping /Break
Session II:
3:30 ~ 3:35 Introduction
3:35 ~ 4:05 2nd Group Discussion
4:05 ~ 4:20 2nd Summarization
4:20 ~ 4:30 Concluding Remarks / Newcomers’ Feedback / Announcements
聚會時間：2008/8/9 (星期六) 請準時。聚會2:15 pm 到 ~ 約 4:30 pm 左右結束
聚會地點：合歡咖啡Acacia Cafe
地址: 台北市忠孝東路4段216巷33弄15號
電話: 02-8771-6230
捷運站: 板南線 忠孝敦化站
走法: 忠孝敦化站3號出口 -> 直走到ATT百貨 -> 右轉216巷 -> 直走到"東區粉圓"(對面為全家便利商店) -> 左轉33弄 ->直走約100公尺左手邊
低消: 90 元
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Remember all what your mom has told you, and do the opposite.
