Inside the world’s smallest capital city — where nobody actually lives
When we think of capital cities we tend to picture a huge, bustling metropolis with an equally large population — such as London, for example. According to World Population Review, England’s capital is now home to more than nine million people. But not every capital is enormous and sprawling. In fact, there’s one which doesn’t have any people living in it at all. Welcome to Ngerulmud, the tiny – and empty – capital of Palau. But how did it end up unoccupied? (Picture: Getty Images)
Palau is an archipelago nation in the western Pacific Ocean, situated southeast of the Philippines and Micronesia. The 16th smallest country in the world, it’s an island nation that has a total area of just 466 kilometres – and, according to the 2021 census, a total population of around 16,000 people. It’s so remote that it would take you around 25 hours to fly there from London, given that there are no direct flights and you’d have at least one stopover en route. (Credits: Shutterstock / Fidelia AZ)
With all that in mind, you’d assume that the capital city would be the most populous and, indeed, the town of Koror – home to around 11,000 of the island’s occupants and the source of most of its tourism – was, up until 2006. That’s when the capital was moved to Ngerulmud – the seat of government of the Republic of Palau. (Picture: Getty Images/500px)
Ngerulmud, which takes its name from a Palauan phrase meaning ‘place of fermented angelfish’ in reference to its hill overlooking the ocean, is located in the state of Melekeok on Palau’s largest island Babeldaob. But while it’s not overly far from Koror City – around 12 miles northeast – nobody actually lives there. The capital was moved for political reasons, and to encourage development on the island. (Picture: Getty Images)
However, it consists of little more than three pale-yellow government buildings, surrounded by car parks and connected by walkways. Those who work there either live in Koror or in Melekeok – which has a tiny population of just 318 people, according to a 2020 census. The capital is so empty that even a post office which was built to serve the area closed in 2013 just 16 months after it opened, with the Wall Street Journal reporting it had taken just $2,000 (£1,500) while its expenses had exceeded $30,000 (£22,800). (Picture: Getty Images)
In fact, the closest thing Ngerulmud has to any residents are its officials and politicians, including president Surangel Whipps Jr, as well as ministers, congressmen and senators. It isn’t even regarded as a draw for visitors, with tourists favouring the shops, restaurants and amenities of Koror, and the stunning natural beauty of the Rock Islands, an hour’s boat ride away. (Picure: Getty Images)
The capital has even been bypassed when it comes to major events. Back in 2014 it played host to the official opening of the 45th Pacific Islands forum but the majority of the formalities were held in Koror, while the leader’s retreat was held in another island, Peleliu State (population: 414 people). (Picture: Getty Images)
Ngerulmud is by no means alone when it comes to sparsely populated capitals. Others around the world regarded as having a low population include Naypyidaw in Myanmar, which is home to fewer than one million people, while Ashgabat in Turkmenistan also has many empty buildings, with the population concentrated around older parts of the city. But for its total lack of citizens, the capital of Palau remains unique among world capitals. And that’s not likely to end any time soon. (Picture: Getty Images) Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
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