The dome
At the centre.
Ben Shoshana — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zykasaa — CC BY 4.0 · Zykasaa — CC BY 4.0 · Zykasaa — CC BY 4.0 · Zykasaa — CC BY 4.0
Ngerulmud is the seat of Palau's government, on a hill above the sea in Melekeok State on Babeldaob. It is a complex of classical buildings with huge sand-coloured columns and a large white dome at the centre, ringed by green forest. It is the least populated capital of any country, as no one lives there permanently. Ngerulmud replaced Koror as the capital in October 2006. Palau's 1979 constitution called for the capital to move to Babeldaob; planning began in 1986, but work was slow and was finished in the early 2000s with a loan from Taiwan. The name means place of fermented angelfish, recalling the hill where women once made traditional offerings. You walk the paths between the buildings, seeing the tall columns, the dome and traditional designs on walls and pillars. The plaza looks over the east coast and the sea. The complex is about 24 km in a straight line north-east of Koror. Viewing from outside is free. These are government buildings, so some parts may be closed.
At the centre.
Huge and sand-coloured.
The east coast.
Ngerulmud, Melekeok State, Babeldaob, Palau
No permanent residents.
Public parts sometimes; outside viewing is free.