Country	Papua New Guinea
Capital	Port Moresby
Continent	Asia
Currency	Papua New Guinean Kina(PGK)
Languages	Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin & English

Locaion

Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia

Geographic Co ordinates

6 00 S, 147 00 E

Land Boundries

Total:820 km
Border countries:Indonesia 820 km

Geography - note

shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast

Population

6,064,515 (July 2010 est.)
Country comparison to the world:105

Nationality

Noun:Papua New Guinean(s)
Adjective:Papua New Guinean

Ethnic groups

Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian

Religions

Roman Catholic 27%, Evangelical Lutheran 19.5%, United Church 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, Pentecostal 8.6%, Evangelical Alliance 5.2%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.5%, other Protestant 8.9%, Bahai 0.3%, indigenous beliefs and other 3.3% (2000 census)

Languages

Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu are official languages; some 860 indigenous languages spoken (over one-tenth of the world's total)
note: Tok Pisin, a creole language, is widely used and understood; English is spoken by 1%-2%; Hiri Motu is spoken by less than 2%

Country Name

Conventional long form:Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Conventional short form:Papua New Guinea
Local short form:Papuaniugin
Former:Territory of Papua and New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG

Government Type

constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Capital

Name:Port Moresby
Geographic coordinates:9 30 S, 147 10 E
Time difference:UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

18 provinces, 1 autonomous region*, and 1 district**; Bougainville*, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital**, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain

Independence

16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

Constitution

16 September 1975

Legal system

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

Chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by governor general Sir Paulias MATANE (since 29 June 2004)
Head of government:Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2 August 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Puka TEMU (since 29 August 2007)
Cabinet:National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:the monarchy is hereditary; the governor general nominated by parliament and appointed by the chief of state; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general acting in accordance with a decision of the parliament

Legislative branch

unicameral National Parliament (109 seats, 89 filled from open electorates and 20 from provinces and national capital district; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); constitution allows up to 126 seats
Elections:last held from 30 June to 10 July 2007; next to be held in June 2012
Election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA 27, PNGP 8, PAP 6, URP 6, PANGU PATI 5, PDM 5, independents 19, others 33; note - election to 1 seat was nullified
note: 15 other parties won 4 or fewer seats; association with political parties is fluid

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)

Political Parties and Leaders

National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU PATI [Andrew KUMBAKOR]; Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's Action Party or PAP [Gabriel KAPRIS]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Michael OGIO]; United Resources Party or URP [William DUMA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Ahora [Andrew MAMOKO] (represents local tribes); Centre for Environment Law and Community Rights or Celcor [Damien ASE]; Community Coalition Against Corruption

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chief of mission:Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI
Chancery:1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036
Telephone:[1] (202) 745-3680
FAX:[1] (202) 745-3679

Diplomatic representation from the US

Chief of mission:Ambassador Teddy B. TAYLOR
Embassy:Douglas Street, Port Moresby, N.C.D.
Mailing address:4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240
Telephone:[675] 321-1455
FAX:[675] 321-3423

Flag description

divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered

Video

View Larger Map

Government - Government - Papua New Guinea Prime Minister - Papua New Guinea
                              Ministry Of Education
Newspapers -  Post-Courier The National WN PNG Times
Tourism -         Ministry Of Tourism

Google News

Papua New Guinea advances digital ID law - Digital Watch ObservatoryPapua New Guinea advances digital ID law  Digital Watch Observatory PNG leader says no foreign bases as Australia's defence presence grows - RFIPNG leader says no foreign bases as Australia's defence presence grows  RFI TIHWF workshop empowers Women’s Football Coaches in Papua New Guinea - Oceania Football ConfederationTIHWF workshop empowers Women’s Football Coaches in Papua New Guinea  Oceania Football Confederation Papua New Guinea warns against fishing in New Ireland after mystery deaths of marine life - The GuardianPapua New Guinea warns against fishing in New Ireland after mystery deaths of marine life  The Guardian European Union and Papua New Guinea to convene 5th Business Forum: - EEASEuropean Union and Papua New Guinea to convene 5th Business Forum:  EEAS INDIAN NAVY WARSHIP VISITS PORT MORESBY TO JOIN PAPUA NEW GUINEA'S 50TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS - PIBINDIAN NAVY WARSHIP VISITS PORT MORESBY TO JOIN PAPUA NEW GUINEA'S 50TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS  PIB Digicel PNG becomes Starlink’s first reseller in Papua New Guinea - Developing TelecomsDigicel PNG becomes Starlink’s first reseller in Papua New Guinea  Developing Telecoms Papua New Guinea builds legal foundation for digital identity ecosystem - Biometric UpdatePapua New Guinea builds legal foundation for digital identity ecosystem  Biometric Update Papua New Guinea becomes the 82nd Party to the Convention on Cybercrime - coe.intPapua New Guinea becomes the 82nd Party to the Convention on Cybercrime  coe.int Puk-Puk 1 cable linking Papua and Papua New Guinea goes live - Data Center DynamicsPuk-Puk 1 cable linking Papua and Papua New Guinea goes live  Data Center Dynamics Strengthening cancer care in Morobe, Papua New Guinea - MSF - Médecins Sans FrontièresStrengthening cancer care in Morobe, Papua New Guinea  MSF - Médecins Sans Frontières Visit of MoS(PM) to Papua New Guinea (September 16, 2025) - Ministry of External AffairsVisit of MoS(PM) to Papua New Guinea (September 16, 2025)  Ministry of External Affairs Papua New Guinea: In-Depth - adb.orgPapua New Guinea: In-Depth  adb.org Call for Civic Participation and Women’s Political and Decision-making Participation (Papua New Guinea) - fundsforNGOsCall for Civic Participation and Women’s Political and Decision-making Participation (Papua New Guinea)  fundsforNGOs Pioneering Development in Sepik, Papua New Guinea - Welcome to the United NationsPioneering Development in Sepik, Papua New Guinea  Welcome to the United Nations Indonesia and Papua New Guinea advance cross-border frequency coordination - RadioInfo AsiaIndonesia and Papua New Guinea advance cross-border frequency coordination  RadioInfo Asia Papua New Guinea returns to the FATF grey list - Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC)Papua New Guinea returns to the FATF grey list  Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) An undersea volcano is erupting in the South Pacific - EarthSkyAn undersea volcano is erupting in the South Pacific  EarthSky Saving land in Papua New Guinea through trees and coffee - environment.ec.europa.euSaving land in Papua New Guinea through trees and coffee  environment.ec.europa.eu Women Forging New Futures in Papua New Guinea - International Finance Corporation (IFC)Women Forging New Futures in Papua New Guinea  International Finance Corporation (IFC) India, Papua New Guinea Strengthen MSME Ties With NSIC–SME Corp MoU - KNN IndiaIndia, Papua New Guinea Strengthen MSME Ties With NSIC–SME Corp MoU  KNN India Papua New Guinea - Population and Demography Country Profile - Our World in DataPapua New Guinea - Population and Demography Country Profile  Our World in Data Unleashing Agriculture’s Potential for Papua New Guinea’s Prosperity - World Bank BlogsUnleashing Agriculture’s Potential for Papua New Guinea’s Prosperity  World Bank Blogs Meeting between the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Hon. James Marape, and the new Chief Executive Officer of AFD, Christophe Lecourtier - AFD - Agence Française de DéveloppementMeeting between the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Hon. James Marape, and the new Chief Executive Officer of AFD, Christophe Lecourtier  AFD - Agence Française de Développement UN chief hails ‘remarkable example’ of Papua New Guinea as he concludes historic trip - Welcome to the United NationsUN chief hails ‘remarkable example’ of Papua New Guinea as he concludes historic trip  Welcome to the United Nations Papua New Guinea v Jersey | Match Highlights | ICC CWC Challenge League A - ICCPapua New Guinea v Jersey | Match Highlights | ICC CWC Challenge League A  ICC Papua New Guinea - Welcome to the United NationsPapua New Guinea  Welcome to the United Nations How Starlink and other LEO services can help unlock Papua New Guinea’s economic potential - Business Advantage PNGHow Starlink and other LEO services can help unlock Papua New Guinea’s economic potential  Business Advantage PNG Papua New Guinea: Support for victims and survivors of violence - MSF - Médecins Sans FrontièresPapua New Guinea: Support for victims and survivors of violence  MSF - Médecins Sans Frontières Rural futures in focus: Papua New Guinea - ifad.orgRural futures in focus: Papua New Guinea  ifad.org Papua New Guinea’s democracy at 50 - East Asia ForumPapua New Guinea’s democracy at 50  East Asia Forum PNG Rural Communities to Benefit from US Internet Funding - news.pngfacts.comPNG Rural Communities to Benefit from US Internet Funding  news.pngfacts.com Papua New Guinea - CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Country Profile - Our World in DataPapua New Guinea - CO2 and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Country Profile  Our World in Data Digicel PNG and Puma Energy launch mobile wallet fuel payments - TelecompaperDigicel PNG and Puma Energy launch mobile wallet fuel payments  Telecompaper Papua New Guinea intensifies final push to stop polio with targeted third vaccination campaign - UnicefPapua New Guinea intensifies final push to stop polio with targeted third vaccination campaign  Unicef In Papua New Guinea, Young Chinese Migrants Begin a Quiet Second Act - Sixth ToneIn Papua New Guinea, Young Chinese Migrants Begin a Quiet Second Act  Sixth Tone Papua New Guinea: Improving transparency reporting - Food and Agriculture OrganizationPapua New Guinea: Improving transparency reporting  Food and Agriculture Organization The Centre for Species Survival Papua New Guinea is established as the first in the Pacific Islands in partnership with Port Moresby Nature Park - IUCNThe Centre for Species Survival Papua New Guinea is established as the first in the Pacific Islands in partnership with Port Moresby Nature Park  IUCN Socioeconomic changes post Indonesia-Papua New Guinea cross-border development - FrontiersSocioeconomic changes post Indonesia-Papua New Guinea cross-border development  Frontiers The other LEO satellite provider: Papua New Guinea business begin trials of OneWeb - Business Advantage PNGThe other LEO satellite provider: Papua New Guinea business begin trials of OneWeb  Business Advantage PNG Guterres hails Papua New Guinea as an example of diversity, dialogue and climate action - UN NewsGuterres hails Papua New Guinea as an example of diversity, dialogue and climate action  UN News Two Nations, One Front: Indonesia and Papua New Guinea forge a One-Island approach to fight persistent malaria on New Guinea - NatureTwo Nations, One Front: Indonesia and Papua New Guinea forge a One-Island approach to fight persistent malaria on New Guinea  Nature ‘Magical place’: tourists see another side of Papua New Guinea’s most troubled region - The Guardian‘Magical place’: tourists see another side of Papua New Guinea’s most troubled region  The Guardian James Cameron Says a Trip to Papua New Guinea Inspired Part of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' - Condé Nast TravelerJames Cameron Says a Trip to Papua New Guinea Inspired Part of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash'  Condé Nast Traveler Papua New Guinea Public Finance Review 2026 - World Bank GroupPapua New Guinea Public Finance Review 2026  World Bank Group “We Are All Still Waiting for Answers:” Papua New Guinea’s Ocean Crisis Enters Fourth Month - The Xylom“We Are All Still Waiting for Answers:” Papua New Guinea’s Ocean Crisis Enters Fourth Month  The Xylom IHG introduces a new era of luxury hospitality in Papua New Guinea with InterContinental Port Moresby - InterContinental Hotels Group PLCIHG introduces a new era of luxury hospitality in Papua New Guinea with InterContinental Port Moresby  InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Mobilizing Papua New Guinea’s Energy Sector to lead the transition toward a low-carbon future - UNDPMobilizing Papua New Guinea’s Energy Sector to lead the transition toward a low-carbon future  UNDP Papua New Guinea considers age restrictions on social media amid fears voices will be ‘silenced’ - The GuardianPapua New Guinea considers age restrictions on social media amid fears voices will be ‘silenced’  The Guardian A liquidity paradox in Papua New Guinea - UNDPA liquidity paradox in Papua New Guinea  UNDP Australia signs key defence deal with Papua New Guinea - BBCAustralia signs key defence deal with Papua New Guinea  BBC Papua New Guinea advances national ownership of HIV response as crisis deepens - UNAIDSPapua New Guinea advances national ownership of HIV response as crisis deepens  UNAIDS Papua New Guinea (PNG) GEF-7 National Forest Inventory (NFI) - Food and Agriculture OrganizationPapua New Guinea (PNG) GEF-7 National Forest Inventory (NFI)  Food and Agriculture Organization Telikom PNG Expands Connectivity With Starlink Partnership - news.pngfacts.comTelikom PNG Expands Connectivity With Starlink Partnership  news.pngfacts.com Papua New Guinea Unites Against Antimicrobial Resistance at the 7th National AMR Symposium - who.intPapua New Guinea Unites Against Antimicrobial Resistance at the 7th National AMR Symposium  who.int Papua New Guinea - The Nature ConservancyPapua New Guinea  The Nature Conservancy UNDP continues to support PNG in fulfilling the Paris Agreement - UNDPUNDP continues to support PNG in fulfilling the Paris Agreement  UNDP Papua New Guinea: Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila - Disaster Management Team Situation Report No. 07 (08 May 2026) - ReliefWebPapua New Guinea: Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila - Disaster Management Team Situation Report No. 07 (08 May 2026)  ReliefWeb 2026 Rural PNG Value Adding Small Grants (Round 2) – Papua New Guinea - fundsforNGOs2026 Rural PNG Value Adding Small Grants (Round 2) – Papua New Guinea  fundsforNGOs Australia and Papua New Guinea: A century of scientific partnership - Geoscience AustraliaAustralia and Papua New Guinea: A century of scientific partnership  Geoscience Australia Papua New Guinea has played an important role in Australian history – it’s time we acknowledged that - The ConversationPapua New Guinea has played an important role in Australian history – it’s time we acknowledged that  The Conversation Papua New Guinea Advances Disaster Risk Reform with Validation of NEMA Bill and Policy - UNDPPapua New Guinea Advances Disaster Risk Reform with Validation of NEMA Bill and Policy  UNDP ‘We dreamed of a better future’: remembering the first moments of Papua New Guinea in 1975 - The Guardian‘We dreamed of a better future’: remembering the first moments of Papua New Guinea in 1975  The Guardian China issues warning to Papua New Guinea over defence deal with Australia - The GuardianChina issues warning to Papua New Guinea over defence deal with Australia  The Guardian Released UFO files document 'sightings' in Papua New Guinea - Australian Broadcasting CorporationReleased UFO files document 'sightings' in Papua New Guinea  Australian Broadcasting Corporation The women breaking the cycle of violence in Papua New Guinea - The GuardianThe women breaking the cycle of violence in Papua New Guinea  The Guardian Pacific News Minute: Papua New Guinea in disaster recovery after Cyclone Maila - Hawaii Public RadioPacific News Minute: Papua New Guinea in disaster recovery after Cyclone Maila  Hawaii Public Radio Weathering the storm - UnicefWeathering the storm  Unicef Papua New Guinea: Journalist assaulted by correctional service officers - International Federation of Journalists - IFJPapua New Guinea: Journalist assaulted by correctional service officers  International Federation of Journalists - IFJ EU Delegation to Papua New Guinea marks Europe Day - EEASEU Delegation to Papua New Guinea marks Europe Day  EEAS Column: In Papua New Guinea, the time machine is on perennial pause - newtonbeacon.orgColumn: In Papua New Guinea, the time machine is on perennial pause  newtonbeacon.org Strengthening Medicine Quality Assurance: Papua New Guinea Hosts Post-Market Surveillance Workshop - who.intStrengthening Medicine Quality Assurance: Papua New Guinea Hosts Post-Market Surveillance Workshop  who.int Stools suggest why Papua New Guineans on low-protein diet are muscular - u-tokyo.ac.jpStools suggest why Papua New Guineans on low-protein diet are muscular  u-tokyo.ac.jp Magnitude 5.58 earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea, GFZ says - ReutersMagnitude 5.58 earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea, GFZ says  Reuters Papua New Guinea Embraces Digital Health - World Bank GroupPapua New Guinea Embraces Digital Health  World Bank Group Powering Lives in Papua New Guinea - UNDPPowering Lives in Papua New Guinea  UNDP Visit of State Minister MIYAJI to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea - mofa.go.jpVisit of State Minister MIYAJI to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea  mofa.go.jp Shared History, Shared Future: the next 50 years of Australia–Papua New Guinea relations - Lowy InstituteShared History, Shared Future: the next 50 years of Australia–Papua New Guinea relations  Lowy Institute KBR in Papua New Guinea - Commonwealth SportKBR in Papua New Guinea  Commonwealth Sport Programme launched to support biodiversity finance in Papua New Guinea - UNDPProgramme launched to support biodiversity finance in Papua New Guinea  UNDP Sex workers speak out about being caught in the middle of PNG's HIV crisis - Australian Broadcasting CorporationSex workers speak out about being caught in the middle of PNG's HIV crisis  Australian Broadcasting Corporation Australia supports Papua New Guinea’s national airline upgrades - Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeAustralia supports Papua New Guinea’s national airline upgrades  Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Indonesia’s move to welcome PNG into ASEAN is a win-win - Lowy InstituteIndonesia’s move to welcome PNG into ASEAN is a win-win  Lowy Institute NZDF concludes Papua New Guinea deployment - NZDFNZDF concludes Papua New Guinea deployment  NZDF Australia, Papua New Guinea to sign 'historic' defence deal - The Jakarta PostAustralia, Papua New Guinea to sign 'historic' defence deal  The Jakarta Post At 50, Papua New Guinea deserves a more complete story - Lowy InstituteAt 50, Papua New Guinea deserves a more complete story  Lowy Institute Papua New Guinea and Partners Announce over $12 Million Partnership to Drive Education Reforms and Boost Learning Outcomes - UnicefPapua New Guinea and Partners Announce over $12 Million Partnership to Drive Education Reforms and Boost Learning Outcomes  Unicef UND, Papua New Guinea sign STEM education partnership - University of North Dakota (UND)UND, Papua New Guinea sign STEM education partnership  University of North Dakota (UND) Papua New Guinea’s workers abroad are an untapped resource - Lowy InstitutePapua New Guinea’s workers abroad are an untapped resource  Lowy Institute Help children in Papua New Guinea - UNICEF AustraliaHelp children in Papua New Guinea  UNICEF Australia WHO and Papua New Guinea Reaffirm Commitment to Ending NTD’s at 76th RCM. - who.intWHO and Papua New Guinea Reaffirm Commitment to Ending NTD’s at 76th RCM.  who.int Response to the Papua New Guinea landslide - Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeResponse to the Papua New Guinea landslide  Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade India’s Aid to Papua New Guinea - Drishti IASIndia’s Aid to Papua New Guinea  Drishti IAS Papua New Guinea not represented in 2026 State of Origin series - ABC Pacific - Australian Broadcasting CorporationPapua New Guinea not represented in 2026 State of Origin series - ABC Pacific  Australian Broadcasting Corporation Papua New Guinea’s complicated inheritance • Graeme Dobell - insidestory.org.auPapua New Guinea’s complicated inheritance • Graeme Dobell  insidestory.org.au Papua New Guinea cabinet signs landmark defence treaty with Australia - Al JazeeraPapua New Guinea cabinet signs landmark defence treaty with Australia  Al Jazeera Networked water governance in Papua New Guinea’s WaSH era - Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy CentreNetworked water governance in Papua New Guinea’s WaSH era  Devpolicy Blog from the Development Policy Centre PNG Kumuls Hero Rhyse Martin Returns Home for Chiefs Role - news.pngfacts.comPNG Kumuls Hero Rhyse Martin Returns Home for Chiefs Role  news.pngfacts.com Australia continues to support PNG’s technical skills training - The National | Your Number One Daily!Australia continues to support PNG’s technical skills training  The National | Your Number One Daily! Santos boosts LNG and oil to reduce net debt - InspenetSantos boosts LNG and oil to reduce net debt  Inspenet