Peleliu

Peleliu, Pacific island of the Palau group, 500 mi (800 km) east of Mindanao, the Philippines. Peleliu is surrounded by coral reefs and covers 5 sq mi (13 sq km). The island exports phosphate, ebony, and pearls. Discovered in 1543, Peleliu was owned by Japan between World War I and World War II and was the site of heavy fighting from Sept.–Nov., 1944. It has been a U.S. protectorate since 1947, as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific.