Which city became Palau's capital in 2006?

Ngerulmud became Palau’s capital in October 2006, replacing Koror City.

Ngerulmud is located in Melekeok State on Babeldaob, Palau’s largest island. The move fulfilled Palau’s constitutional plan to establish a permanent capital on Babeldaob rather than keeping the government in the more densely settled former capital, Koror. The new site was selected inland and away from Koror’s urban concentration.

The capital complex contains separate buildings for Palau’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches, arranged around a central open plaza. Construction progressed slowly because Palau had limited local engineering resources and needed to import many materials. Financial assistance from Taiwan helped restart major construction in the early 2000s.

Ngerulmud is often confused with Melekeok because it lies within Melekeok State, and with Koror because Koror remains Palau’s largest population and business centre. Ngerulmud is the national capital and seat of government, while Koror continues to be the country’s principal urban centre.