Ngarchelong

Ngarchelong is a state in Palau, and the northernmost state on the island of Babeldaob, being at the northernmost tip of the island. Only the state of Kayangel is farther north.

The population of the state was 384 in the 2020 census and median age was 37.2 years. The official languages of the state are Palauan and English. Uongerchetei is the title of the traditional high chief from the state.

The state has a population of slightly under 390 people (2020), making it the fifth most populated of Palau's sixteen states, although it is ranked thirteenth in land (with only about 10 square kilometers). The village of Mengellang serves as the state capital, and lies toward the south of the state. Mengellang and Ollei are the state's main population centers.

In June 1972, the resident population was 702.

Ngerchelong is situated on the northern tip of Babeldaob Island. The land has low rolling hills with short drainages and is fringed by a thick belt mangroves. Ngerchelong extends north from the narrowest part of the neck on Babeldaob where it borders Ngaraard. Lower hillsides are generally covered with a lowland forest, and some of the higher hills at the north end of the state are forested, but much of the land is covered with grass and low scrub.

The modern villages of Ollei (north), Mengellang (southwest) and Ngerbau (east coast) are connected by a road now partially paved. This road will eventually become part of the Babeldaob Road connecting to Chol in Ngaraard.

Presently, most of the land use in Ngerchelong is confined to gardens surrounding the modern villages. Interspersed with these kitchen gardens are stands of agroforest which include coconut, and betelnut, breadfruit, almond trees, and banana plants. In and around many of the uninhabited villages are stands of coconut and betelnut palms, and occasionally patches of irregularly attended taro swamp gardens.

In addition, Ngerchelong includes two small islands, Ngerkeklau and Ngerechur, located one and two kilometers north of Babeldaob.