Ngerulmud, Palau’s capitol on a hill

Written into the constitution

Palau’s constitution made Koror only the provisional capital. It told the national congress, the Olbiil Era Kelulau, to designate a place on Babeldaob, the largest island, as the permanent capital within ten years.^[2] In the 1980s leaders from Melekeok State persuaded the congress to choose Melekeok, and donated a large hill, Ngerulmud, as the site. Melekeok had been one of Palau’s four ancient polities, but had been eclipsed by Koror, which was popular with foreigners.^[3]

“The provisional capital shall be located in Koror; provided, that not later than ten (10) years after the effective date of this Constitution, the Olbiil Era Kelulau shall designate place in Babeldaob to be the permanent capital.”^[2]

A capitol from Taiwan

The complex has four buildings in a classical Greek and Roman style: a three-storey congress building with a dome, a judiciary building, a president’s building modelled on the Jefferson Memorial, and an administration building. Taiwan paid about US$40 million and the United States US$2 million. Many Palauans criticised it as too large, too expensive and untraditional; its defenders said it should be a building of international significance.^[3] Britannica notes that the domed central building resembles the US Capitol.^[4]

In his April 2006 State of the Republic address, President Tommy Remengesau Jr announced the move for October. A US State Department official raised concerns about the cost; Palau’s government replied that the move would stimulate the rural economy.^[5]

Moving in

The capitol complex opened with feasting and celebration on Independence Day, 1 October 2006.^[3] Melekeok became the capital that October; the site of the capitol complex within it is called Ngerulmud. Koror, just south of Babeldaob, remains the largest town.^[1] Melekeok State had 318 people in 2020.^[4]