On the way back from Elab to Airai, we passed by Palau's Capitol building located in Ngerulmud, in Melekeok State.
The first sight of the Capitol building...
Zooming in...
Palau’s Capitol building sits in an imperious position, on a hilltop and is visible from quite a distance...
Taking a detour to the left to head to the Capitol...
A market on the road leading up to the Capitol...
Landscaped and manicured gardens line up the road leading to the Capitol...
There she is, the massive Capitol of Palau. This building houses government offices and does seem quite large for a nation of nearly 20,000 people...
Location of the Capitol...
It appears as though the Capitol of the United States has been transported from Washington DC, and planted here in the middle of the jungle...
The original plans for the Capitol building were based on a traditional bai. These plans were abandoned in favour of a replica of the United States Capitol...
Palau was incorporated as a part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands with the trusteeship mandate going to the United States. Over a period of time, the trusteeship dissolved and new states were formed - the Republic of Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia in 1986 and the Republic of Palau in 1994. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands chose to remain in political union with the United States, instead of becoming independent.
At that time, Palau had a choice to become part of the Federated States of Micronesia, but given that it had more natural resources and a smaller population, it chose a full independence rather than have a second rung status in a federation.
As independence came, the administration in Palau decided that efforts would be made to spread the population over Babeldaob, rather than concentrate on Koror. Ngerulmud in Melekeok State was chosen as the capital, the local chief was willing donate a large chunk of his family’s land to house the government headquarters.
A lovely view from the Capitol...
Who wouldn't love to have an office here?
The dome stands out...
The building is indeed huge...
The architecture of the Capitol does seem out of place...
The Capitol cost USD 50 million to construct, financed by Taiwan - they gave low interest loans to the Palau. And Palau extended diplomatic recognition to Taiwan over the larger Mainland, one of 22 nations that over accorded Taiwan this privilege. In fact, Palau hosts one of the few embassies of the renegade province!
Ostensibly, this is a game that Taiwan plays in the Pacific, Africa and the Caribbean to curb the influence of the Mainland, gain influence on the world stage and block any unfavourable United Nations resolution, if the need so arises, even though Taiwan had been expelled from the world body.
Indeed the latest round of geopolitical ping-pong is still being played out here, only the players have changed and the Capitol is living proof of that!
And with ambitions of regional powers going beyond their "ponds", nations in the Pacific will be enticed with a lot more concessions, to wean them away from the United States...
A storm is brewing in the skies...
Some may argue that the Capitol represents aspirations of the new nation...
The Judiciary Building...
The building is indeed quite imposing...
One last look at the Capitol as we head back...
I have been to washington Dc and yes it looks like a copy paste job!! though with how much adaptation to the local climate....!!!
ReplyDeleteand dont you love the politial games countries play..i feel our life wont be made any easier by the politicians or politics..but atleast it gives us some entertainment!!
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