# Babeldaob

> island in Palau

**Wikidata**: [Q746861](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q746861)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babeldaob)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/babeldaob

## Summary
Babeldaob is an island located in the sovereign state of Palau, also known by the alias Babelthuap. It is situated at coordinates 7.5302777777778°N, 134.56472222222°E and has a recorded population of 5,185. The island is geographically associated with the state of Melekeok, which houses the national capital of Palau, Ngerulmud.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Island.
- **Location:** Palau (an island sovereign state in Oceania/Micronesia).
- **Population:** 5,185.
- **Coordinates:** 7.5302777777778°N, 134.56472222222°E.
- **Alias:** Babelthuap.
- **Related Entity:** Melekeok (a town in Melekeok state, Palau).
- **Related Entity:** Mount Ngerchelchuus (a mountain in Palau).
- **Associated Image:** "Beach in Melekeok" (2007), taken by Peter R. Binter.
- **Image License:** Public domain.
- **Sitelink Count:** 45.
- **Wikipedia Title:** Babeldaob.
- **Country Context:** Palau gained full independence on October 1, 1994.
- **Capital Context:** The capital of Palau, Ngerulmud, is located in Melekeok state (associated with Babeldaob).

## FAQs
**Where is Babeldaob located?**
Babeldaob is an island situated in the Republic of Palau, a sovereign state in the western Pacific Ocean that is part of the region of Micronesia in Oceania.

**What is the population of Babeldaob?**
The island has a population of 5,185, which is distinct from the overall population of Palau, which was estimated at 20,729 in 2017.

**What are the geographic coordinates of Babeldaob?**
The specific coordinates for Babeldaob are 7.5302777777778° latitude and 134.56472222222° longitude.

**What is the political significance of Babeldaob?**
Babeldaob is the location of Melekeok state, which contains the town of Melekeok and the national capital, Ngerulmud, making the island the political center of Palau.

**What is Babeldaob also known as?**
The island is recognized by the alias Babelthuap.

## Why It Matters
Babeldaob is the most significant landmass in Palau regarding governance and administration, as it hosts the state of Melekeok. Melekeok state is the location of Ngerulmud, the national capital of Palau since 2006. Consequently, Babeldaob serves as the seat of the country's government operations, including the Palau National Congress and the executive branch. The island's geography and population (5,185) form a core part of the demographic and physical structure of the Republic of Palau, a nation known for its environmental stewardship and unique Compact of Free Association with the United States.

## Notable For
- **Political Center:** Hosts Melekeok state, the location of Palau's capital, Ngerulmud.
- **Population:** Has a specific population count of 5,185.
- **Aliases:** Is also referred to as Babelthuap.
- **Documentation:** Featured in the public domain photograph "Beach in Melekeok" (2007) by Peter R. Binter.
- **Geographic Relation:** Connected to Mount Ngerchelchuus, the highest point in Palau.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Babeldaob is an island located within the sovereign state of Palau. Palau is an archipelagic state in the western Pacific Ocean, geographically part of Micronesia, with a total land area of 465.55 square kilometres. Babeldaob itself is defined by the specific coordinates 7.5302777777778°N latitude and 134.56472222222°E longitude. The island is also known by the alias Babelthuap. It is related to the geographic entity "island" and is associated with Mount Ngerchelchuus, the highest terrestrial point in Palau.

### Political Context and Governance
Babeldaob plays a central role in the governance of Palau. The island is home to the state of Melekeok. The town of Melekeok is located within this state. Importantly, the capital of Palau, Ngerulmud, is situated in the state of Melekeok on Babeldaob. The capital was moved from Koror to Ngerulmud on October 7, 2006. Palau, the country Babeldaob belongs to, is a republic and a sovereign state that gained full independence on October 1, 1994, following a period of autonomy beginning on January 1, 1981. The government operates under the Constitution of Palau and a Compact of Free Association with the United States. The legislative body is the bicameral Palau National Congress, and the head of state and government is President Surangel Whipps Jr. (as of January 21, 2021).

### Demographics
The population of Babeldaob is recorded as 5,185. This figure is specific to the island and contrasts with the wider demographic trends of Palau. The national population of Palau was estimated at 20,729 in 2017 and recorded at 18,052 in 2022. The country's population is increasingly urban, with 14,797 urban residents compared to 3,258 rural residents in 2022. The official languages of the nation are English and Palauan, with Japanese also holding official status on the island of Angaur.

### Documentation and Imagery
Visual documentation of Babeldaob includes a notable image titled "Beach in Melekeok," taken on December 22, 2007. The image was created by Peter R. Binter (also credited as Binter) and is hosted on Wikimedia Commons. The file is available under a public domain license. The image provides a visual representation of the coastal geography associated with the island and the Melekeok region.

### Related Geographic Features
Babeldaob is geographically linked to several key features of Palau. The island is the location of Melekeok state. It is also associated with Mount Ngerchelchuus, which is identified as the highest point in Palau. The country's lowest point is the Pacific Ocean at 0 meters. Palau shares maritime borders with the Federated States of Micronesia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The region experiences a tropical climate, with temperature records in the country (such as Koror) reaching a maximum of 35°C.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GeoNames