Why it's the capital
Palau's Constitution of 1979 asked for a permanent capital on Babeldaob. Planning began in 1986, and in October 2006 Ngerulmud replaced Koror as the capital.
Ngerulmud
Capital of PalauNgerulmud is in Melekeok State, on the east side of Babeldaob, the largest island of Palau. It is about 20 km north-east of Koror and 2 km north-west of Melekeok village.
Fun facts
- The name comes from a Palauan phrase meaning 'place of fermented angelfish', after the hill overlooking the ocean that dominates the site.
- The capitol complex, opened on 7 October 2006, has separate buildings for the legislature, the courts and the executive, joined by a central open plaza.
- Lake Ngardok, in the same state of Melekeok, is the largest natural body of fresh water in all of Micronesia.
Finding it on the globe
Palau lies east of the southern Philippines, at about 7° north. Ngerulmud is on Babeldaob, the big island just north-east of Koror.
Easy to mix up
Many players tap Koror, Palau's most populous city, which was the capital until 2006.
Sources: Wikipedia: Ngerulmud, Wikipedia: Melekeok, Wikipedia: Palau