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Ngerulmud is the capital of the Republic of Palau, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. It replaced Koror, Palau's largest city, as capital in 2006. The settlement is located in the state of Melekeok on Babeldaob, the country's largest island, located northeast of Koror and northwest of Melekeok village.〔According to Google Earth and topographic maps.〕 ==History== The previous capital was located provisionally in Koror. The country's constitution, ratified in 1979, directed the Palau National Congress to establish a permanent capital in Babeldaob within ten years of the constitution's effective date.〔(Constitution of the Republic of Palau ) – 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.〔("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.〔(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). ("Palau Capital Building Post Office ‘Closed For Good’" ) – ''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). ("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.〔(Calendar of Events ) – Palau PIF. Retrieved 21 January 2015.〕〔("Pacific Islands Forum opens in Palau with plea to protect world's oceans" ) – Radio Australia. Retrieved 21 January 2015.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ngerulmud」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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