Palau is a very small western Pacific island country with a uniformly tropical maritime climate and little seasonal temperature change. Recent climatology sources describe it as hot, humid, and rainy year-round, with annual rainfall commonly around 3,050 to 4,060 mm and humidity near the low-80% range. Köppen-style descriptions for the archipelago point mainly to tropical rainforest conditions, with some areas showing tropical monsoon or tropical savanna characteristics depending on local rainfall patterns. For residents and expats, the main practical features are steady warmth, frequent showers, lush surroundings, and only a short relative dry season rather than a true cool season.