Papua New Guinea
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At a glance
- Region
- Melanesia
- Capital
- Port Moresby
- Population
- 10.6 million (2024)
- Area
- 462,840 km²
- Languages
- English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin
- Currency
- Papua New Guinean kina (PGK)
- Drives on the
- left
- Calling code
- +675
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Before you go
Overview
Papua New Guinea is an island country in the south western Pacific Ocean. The national capital, Port Moresby, is located in south eastern New Guinea on the Coral Sea.
It encompasses the eastern half of New Guinea, the world’s second largest island (the western half is made up of the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua); the Bismarck Archipelago (New Britain, New Ireland, the Admiralty Islands, and several others); Bougainville and Buka (part of the Solomon Islands chain); and small offshore islands and atolls.
The islands that constitute Papua New Guinea were settled over a period of 40,000 years by the mixture of peoples who are generally referred to as Melanesians. Since the country achieved independence in 1975, one of its principal challenges has been the difficulty of governing many hundreds of diverse, once-isolated local societies as a viable single nation.
The country stretches from just south of the Equator to the Torres Strait, which separates New Guinea from Cape York Peninsula to the south, the northernmost extension of Australia.
History
People have lived in Papua New Guinea for more than 40,000 years. It was administered by Britain, Germany and then Australia before independence in 1975.
Food & culture
Mumu, food cooked in an earth oven with hot stones, includes pork, sweet potato and greens. Sago is a staple in lowland areas.
Wildlife
The country is home to dozens of species of birds-of-paradise, tree kangaroos and some of the richest coral reefs on Earth.
Festivals & events
The Goroka and Mount Hagen shows bring together tribes in traditional dress for singing and dancing.
Things to see
The Kokoda Track, the Sepik River, the highlands around Mount Hagen and the reefs of Milne Bay.
Interesting facts
More than 800 languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea, more than in any other country.
Neighbours
My Bucket List goals in Papua New Guinea
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