he island nation of the Republic of Palau is situated in the South Pacific. Palau has been inhabited since around the 3rd millennium BC, when people arrived from nearby islands, likely the Philippines or Indonesia. Language similarities may suggest that these early people originated in Indonesia. The people of Palau probably had contact with people from neighboring islands, including those of Micronesia and Indonesia. Though Europeans first arrived in the region in the 16th century, none explored Palau until the 18th century with the arrival of the English. Soon, the islands were claimed by several European powers at once: Britain, Spain, and Germany all laid claim to the islands. By the ruling of Pope Leo XIII, the islands of Palau were granted to Spain, becoming part of Spain’s territory of the Spanish East Indies along with the Philippines and several other islands.