Los Angeles, CA (December 12, 2007) - The Republic of Palau has just completed a 53-mile-long paved road on Babeldaob, the largest island in Palau. Babeldoab land mass is 138 square miles, which is 70 percent of Palau's whole area.

With the completion of the Compact Road, it provides easy access to Palau's International Airport, the new Capitol as well as the 10 states on the big island of Babeldaob. For many years, visitors often limit their movement within Koror as it was more developed. The road has opened new opportunities and will contribute tremendously to the efficiency of delivering goods and services; thus allowing our visitors to explore Palau's unique natural beauty, experience the idyllic village life and learn the culture of the community in each state as they circum-navigate Babeldaob.

Additionally, is hoped that the road, built under the U.S. Army Corps Engineer design and supervision, will change the island nation's future and foster Palau's economic development as well as tourism. Palauans who own land in Babeldaob, for example, will be able to commute from their homes rather than to live in rented apartments to work in Koror. Moreover, Palauans living in villages on Babeldaob will now have access to the hospital, college, and other facilitates in Koror. Greater accessibility to Babeldaob will provide the room and the opportunity for Palau and its people.

Before the road was built it was almost an eight to 10-hour commute from north to south. "The new road will give Palauans a level of access to their own land they they've never before had" states Alex Morrison, the Honolulu District's resident engineer and administrative contracting officer for the project since its inception.

The road meets U.S. Department of Transportation standards and includes access to the new capital site at Melekeok. The road is 24-feet-wide, with an asphalt-concrete surface and shoulders.

Located in the westernmost corner of Micronesia, Palau is an archipelago of more than 400 islands with less than 20,000 inhabitants. Consistently ranked as one the world's best dive destinations, Palau is the ultimate paradise for the adventurous traveler, boasting some of the most spectacular water and beaches and world famous for its Rock Islands and Jellyfish Lake. With more than 1,400 species of fish and 500 species of coral, some have called Palau the "8th Natural Wonder of the World", while others have identified Palau as "One of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World." For more information on Palau and new developments in services for visitors, please contact Palau Visitors Authority by email at [email protected] or visit the official Palau website at www.visit-palau.com.