Contest #494: Angaur (or Ngeaur), Palau

Angaur, an island state of Palau, has 3 official languages — English, Palauan, and Japanese. That last one makes this the only place in the world with an official language of Japanese (it is a de facto but not “official” language in Japan). What makes this even more interesting is the fact that in the latest census of the island, not one resident reports that they speak Japanese at home.

The island was the site of a month-long battle during World War II.

The runway that runs more than half of the length of the island on the west side was built by US Navy Seabees to house the 494th Bomb Group (and later, the 22nd Bombardment Group) during the war, and now it is used commercially for air taxi service to Koror and Peleliu.

Those who found this site without the Japanese hint included:

  • hhgygy
  • Phil Ower
  • Garfield
  • Eloy Cano
  • Lighthouse

and after the hint:

  • Jesus Rodriguez
  • rob de wolff
  • Glenmorren
  • Lelie