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Airai, located on the southern coast of Babeldaob island, is the second-most populous state of Palau. It contains the country's chief airport, and is connected by a bridge to nearby Koror Island.
The state has an area of 44 km&sq2; (17 mi&sq2;), and a total population, as of 2004, of 2700. Airai is also the name of a biggest town in the state, with a population of 920 people as of 2004. 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) being that it is the oldest one in existence. However, it only dates back 200 years ago. The turbulent rains of Palau did not treat ancient Palaun architecture kindly. Airai is home to the Recklai (Second highest ranking Palaun chief). Airai is more inland/mountainous-jungle and therefore more of a bedroom community than anything else.
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