May 31, 2003

Official name: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Area: 462,840 sq km
Population: 4,496,221
Capital: Port Moresby
Currency: Kina
Official language: English
Major cities: Lae, Madang, Arawa, Wewak, Goroka, Rabaul, Mount Hagen.
Independence day: September 16, 1975
Major exports: Gold, copper ore, oil, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, lobster


Papua New Guinea is bordered to the north by the Bismarck Sea, towards the east by the Solomon Sea, towards the south by the Coral Sea, the Gulf of Papua, and the Torres Strait. In the neighbourhood you will find Indonesia towards its west, Solomon Islands to the east and Australia to the south.

 

Physical features

The country is a low-lying swampy plain with a series of rugged mountains, namely the Bismarck and the Owen Stanley ranges. Mount Wilhelm, at 14,793 feet, is the highest peak. Few of the country’s islands are mountainous, while the smaller ones are low-lying coral atolls. Fly, Purari, Ramu, Markham and Sepic are the major rivers.

 

Climate

The climate of Papua New Guinea is usually hot and humid. Temperatures range from 21° to 32°C. While cooler conditions prevail in the mountainous regions. The average annual rainfall at most of the places is above the 5000mm mark.

 

Ethnicity and religion

The country’s ethnic composition is extremely complex. There are more than 700 ethnic groups; these are often separated into two major divisions, Papuan (constituting more than four-fifth of the total population) and Melanesian (constituting about 1 per cent of the rest of the population).

More than 95 per cent of the population is Christian. However, strong beliefs in the supernatural and local ancestor beliefs remain and coexist with Christianity. Many people still follow traditional theologies.

 

Government

The British monarch is the formal head of state, represented by a resident governor general. The governor general appoints the prime minister and cabinet.

The constitution provides for a single-chamber legislature, the National Parliament, consists of 109 members elected for a five-year term. Although Papua New Guinea is not a federal state, it has 20 provincial governments with a fair degree of autonomy.

 

Language

English is the official language. Melanesian Pidgin (Tok Pisin) is most widely spoken and is a bridge between members of different ethnic groups. Tok Pisin is easy to learn because it contains less than 1,800 words.

Many local dialects are also spoken. People at home usually speak the language of their own group. Papua New Guinea is considered a country where a number of diversified languages are spoken. Linguists have catalogued more than 700 distinct languages in Papua New Guinea, while some believe this to be more than 800.

 

Wildlife

Peregrine falcon, Frill-necked Lizard, stick insect (resembling a twig), osprey, short-beaked Echidna (also called spiny anteater) and rainbow lorikeet (multicoloured parrots) constitute the wildlife of Papua New Guinea. Thirty-eight species of birds of paradise are available. Besides this, the megapode and cassowary are also found here. Two-thirds of the world’s orchid species come from Papua New Guinea.

 

Diet

Sweet potato, locally known as Kaukau, is the staple food in the highlands. Besides this, Taro as well as fruits and vegetables also constitute a major part of the diet. Seafood and coconuts are consumed a great deal in the coastal areas. Small marsupial animals, wild pigs, birds, and eggs are also consumed here. Bats, eels, and tree kangaroos are also eaten in some areas.

 

Cultural Life

Papua New Guinea retains a rich variety of village cultures. Their colourful culture is expressed in the country’s landscapes, sculpture, painting, folk tales, dance, and the tradition of body decoration. The Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery at Waigani boasts of a vast collection of ethnographic artifacts. The government also encourages the revival of activities associated with traditional cultures.