Airai
Airai, located on the southern coast of Babeldaob island, is the second-most populous state of Palau. It contains the country's chief airport, Roman Tmetuchl International Airport, and is connected by the Koror-Babeldaob Bridge to nearby Koror Island.
Airai | |
|---|---|
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Japanese | アイライ州 |
 Flag | |
 Location of Airai in Palau | |
| Coordinates: 7°22′N 134°33′E | |
| Country |  |
| Capital | Ngetkib |
| Area | |
| • Total | 44 km2 (17 sq mi) |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 2,455 |
| • Density | 56/km2 (140/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | PW-004 |
The state has an area of 44 km² (17 mi²), and a total population of 2,455 as of 2015 Census, the second largest in the country. Airai is also the name of the biggest town in the state, with a population of 920 people as of 2005. The town of Airai is the largest town in Palau outside of the state of Koror.
Airai is most notable for its bai (men's meeting house), the oldest one in existence, dating back 200 years. The turbulent rains of Palau did not treat ancient Palauan architecture kindly. Airai is more inland/mountainous-jungle and therefore more of a bedroom community of Koror.
Education
The Ministry of Education operates public schools.
Airai Elementary School opened circa September 1945. It initially used the former Japanese Communications building.[1]
Palau High School in Koror is the country's only public high school, so children from this community go there.[2]
References
- "Airai Elementary School Archived 2018-10-10 at the Wayback Machine." Ministry of Education (Palau). Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
- "About Archived 2018-03-03 at the Wayback Machine." Palau High School. Retrieved on February 22, 2018.
