Ngerulmud

Ngerulmud is derived from a Palauan phrase meaning "place of fermented angelfish", referring to the hill overlooking the ocean that dominates the site. The last syllable, mud, is the Palauan word for Centropyge tibicen, also known as the keyhole angelfish. In the past, under a local tradition, women gathered on the hill to offer fermented angelfish to the gods.{{cite book |last=Liston|first=Jolie|date=2011|title=Pacific Island Heritage: Archaeology, Identity & Community|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mwn4Q-vmHmYC|publisher= Australian National University|page=192|isbn= 978-1921862489 }}

The previous capital of Palau was located provisionally in Koror. The Constitution of Palau, ratified in 1979, directed the National Congress to establish a permanent capital in Babeldaob within ten years of the constitution's effective date.[http://www.palauembassy.com/Documents/ConstitutionE.pdf Constitution of the Republic of Palau] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107222024/http://www.palauembassy.com/Documents/ConstitutionE.pdf |date=7 November 2012 }} – Embassy of the Republic of Palau, Washington, DC. Retrieved 25 February 2013. The new capital's planning began in 1986, when a contract for the construction of the capitol complex was assigned to a Hawaii-based architecture firm, Architects Hawaii Ltd. (AHL), which had previously designed the capitol complex of the Federated States of Micronesia, located at Palikir. Progress was slow, as Palau lacked engineers and architects, and most of the construction materials had to be imported.Lucy Jokiel (1 December 1995). "Trading places: while Hawaii's economy bottoms out, Guam's and Palau's are ready to take off" – Hawaii Investor. Retrieved from Factiva, 25 August 2014.

Further work was not begun until the early 2000s when Palau secured a $20 million loan from Taiwan as part of efforts to enhance relations between the two countries and secure Palau's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.Ralph Jennings (5 September 2006). "Taiwan hands economic aid to firm ties with Palau" – Reuters. Retrieved from Factiva, 25 August 2014. Containing separate buildings for the Olbiil era Kelulau (the country's legislature), and also the judicial and executive branches, connected via a central open plaza, the complex cost over US$45 million, and was officially opened on 7 October 2006, with over 5,000 people in attendance.[http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Nov/12/il/FP611120310.html "Pride in Palau for new Capitol"] – The Honolulu Advertiser. Published 12 November 2006. Retrieved 25 February 2013. Government officials moved their offices from Koror to Ngerulmud shortly after.[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1840.htm US Department of State. Background Note – Palau: Government offices moved to a new National Capitol Building complex located at Ngerulmud, Melekeok State]

A 2013 piece in The Wall Street Journal reported that the capitol building, which was "unsuited to the local climate", had put Palau in debt, and a fault in the ventilation system had recently caused a mold infestation.David Walter (1 March 2013). "Sequestration in Paradise: Palau worries it will be collateral damage in Washington's budget fight" – The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from Factiva, 25 August 2014. In April 2013, Ngerulmud's post office was closed permanently, as part of cost-cutting measures implemented by the postmaster, Tommy Sinsak. It had been established in December 2011, following an Olbiil era Kelulau resolution, and was one of only two in the country (the other being in Koror). During its 16 months of operation, expenses had exceeded US$30,000, while revenues, mainly from stamps, were less than $2,000.Aurea Gerundio-Dizon (23 April 2013). [http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2013/April/04-24-05.htm "Palau Capital Building Post Office ‘Closed For Good’"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023536/http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2013/April/04-24-05.htm |date=4 March 2016 }} – Island Times. Retrieved 2 March 2015. Ngerulmud is the only settlement in Palau to have its own ZIP code (96939), with the rest of the country using 96940 – the United States Postal Service services Palau as part of the Compact of Free Association with the United States.Maripet L. Poso (3 November 2010). [http://www.mvariety.com/regional-news/31657-house-requests-toribiong-to-establish-post-office-in-ngerulmud "House requests Toribiong to establish Post Office in Ngerulmud"] – Marianas Variety. Retrieved 2 March 2015.

In July 2014, Ngerulmud hosted the official opening of the 45th Pacific Islands Forum. However, the majority of events at the forum were held in Koror, with the leader's retreat held in Peleliu State.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150121121157/http://www.palaupif.com/annex.html Calendar of Events]}} – Palau PIF. Retrieved 21 January 2015.[http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-07-30/pacific-islands-forum-opens-in-palau-with-plea-to-protect-worlds-oceans/1349830 "Pacific Islands Forum opens in Palau with plea to protect world's oceans"] – Radio Australia. Retrieved 21 January 2015. In February 2016, Ngerulmud hosted the 16th Micronesian Presidents' Summit, which was attended by the presidents of Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.(23 February 2016). [http://www.islandtimes.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=587:ngiwal-delegate-gets-five-years-probation-for-ethics-violation "16th Micronesian Presidents’ Summit concludes"] – Island Times. Retrieved 21 March 2016.

{{Weather box

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| location = Ngerulmud (1985~2015)

| temperature colour =

| Jan high F = | Jan high C = 31

| Feb high F = | Feb high C = 31

| Mar high F = | Mar high C = 32

| Apr high F = | Apr high C = 32

| May high F = | May high C = 32

| Jun high F = | Jun high C = 31

| Jul high F = | Jul high C = 31

| Aug high F = | Aug high C = 31

| Sep high F = | Sep high C = 31

| Oct high F = | Oct high C = 32

| Nov high F = | Nov high C = 32

| Dec high F = | Dec high C = 32

| year high F = | year high C =

| Jan mean F = | Jan mean C = 28

| Feb mean F = | Feb mean C = 28

| Mar mean F = | Mar mean C = 28

| Apr mean F = | Apr mean C = 28

| May mean F = | May mean C = 28

| Jun mean F = | Jun mean C = 28

| Jul mean F = | Jul mean C = 28

| Aug mean F = | Aug mean C = 28

| Sep mean F = | Sep mean C = 28

| Oct mean F = | Oct mean C = 28

| Nov mean F = | Nov mean C = 28

| Dec mean F = | Dec mean C = 28

| year mean F = | year mean C =

| Jan low F = | Jan low C = 24

| Feb low F = | Feb low C = 24

| Mar low F = | Mar low C = 24

| Apr low F = | Apr low C = 25

| May low F = | May low C = 25

| Jun low F = | Jun low C = 24

| Jul low F = | Jul low C = 24

| Aug low F = | Aug low C = 24

| Sep low F = | Sep low C = 24

| Oct low F = | Oct low C = 25

| Nov low F = | Nov low C = 25

| Dec low F = | Dec low C = 24

| year low F = | year low C =

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain inch = | Jan rain cm = | Jan rain mm = 189.2

| Feb rain inch = | Feb rain cm = | Feb rain mm = 168.5

| Mar rain inch = | Mar rain cm = | Mar rain mm = 132.6

| Apr rain inch = | Apr rain cm = | Apr rain mm = 148.6

| May rain inch = | May rain cm = | May rain mm = 263.7

| Jun rain inch = | Jun rain cm = | Jun rain mm = 326.6

| Jul rain inch = | Jul rain cm = | Jul rain mm = 323.4

| Aug rain inch = | Aug rain cm = | Aug rain mm = 254.6

| Sep rain inch = | Sep rain cm = | Sep rain mm = 222.2

| Oct rain inch = | Oct rain cm = | Oct rain mm = 204.1

| Nov rain inch = | Nov rain cm = | Nov rain mm = 211.9

| Dec rain inch = | Dec rain cm = | Dec rain mm = 221.8

| year rain inch = | year rain cm = | year rain mm =

| humidity colour =

| time day =

| daily =

| Jan humidity = 83

| Feb humidity = 82

| Mar humidity = 81

| Apr humidity = 82

| May humidity = 84

| Jun humidity = 85

| Jul humidity = 84

| Aug humidity = 83

| Sep humidity = 82

| Oct humidity = 83

| Nov humidity = 84

| Dec humidity = 84

| year humidity =

| source = Time and Date{{cite web |url= https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/palau/ngerulmud/climate|title= Climate in Ngerulmud|publisher= |access-date=3 February 2024 }}

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Population statistics are not recorded separately for Ngerulmud, as it has no defined borders and consists solely of government buildings. At the 2020 national census, the state of Melekeok, in which Ngerulmud is located, had a population of 318 people,{{cite web|url=https://www.palaugov.pw/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2020-Census-of-Population-and-Housing.pdf|title=2020 Census of Population and Housing of the Republic of Palau|page=10}} making it one of the least-populated national capitals or seats of government.

• List of purpose-built national capitals

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{{Commons category|Ngerulmud}}

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{{Coord|7|30|2|N|134|37|27|E|region:PW_type:isle|display=title}}

{{List of Oceanian capitals by region}}

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Category:Capitals in Oceania

Category:Populated places in Palau

Category:Planned capitals

Category:Melekeok

Category:Populated places established in 2006

Category:2006 establishments in Oceania

Category:2000s establishments in Palau