Angaur
Angaur (or
Ngeaur) is an island in the island nation of
Palau. The island, which forms its own state, has an area of 8 km² (3 mi²). Its population is 188 (
census of 2002). State
capital is the village of Ngaramasch on the western side. A second village, Rois, is immediately east of Ngaramasch.
Angaur is the site of major World War II battlesite and there are many American and Japanese battle relics scattered throughout the island. From to 1909 until 1954 phosphate mining took place on Anguar, originally by Germans then Japanese and finally Americans. Angaur is the only place in Micronesia that has feral monkeys; descended from
macaques released during German occupation. Thus it is also called Monkey Island.
Angaur Island is located southwest of
Peleliu, and it is a popular surfing location. In
2003, the
Palau National Congress legalized casino gambling. Angaur is accessible by boat or plane. From 1945 to 1978 the U.S. Coast Guard operated a
LORAN transmitting station, LORSTA Palau, as part of the worldwide LORAN navigation system. The official languages here are
Angaur,
Japanese and
English.
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Battle of Angaur
