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

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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

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Anthony Albanese fails to seal defence treaty between Australia and PNG - The GuardianAnthony Albanese fails to seal defence treaty between Australia and PNG  The Guardian Australia, Papua New Guinea sign communique after mutual defence treaty stalls - ReutersAustralia, Papua New Guinea sign communique after mutual defence treaty stalls  Reuters India, Papua New Guinea discuss ways to further enhance bilateral ties - The HinduIndia, Papua New Guinea discuss ways to further enhance bilateral ties  The Hindu PNG celebrates independence, to sign defence treaty with Australia - Al JazeeraPNG celebrates independence, to sign defence treaty with Australia  Al Jazeera Australia and PNG fail to clinch defence agreement, resorting to communique - Australian Broadcasting CorporationAustralia and PNG fail to clinch defence agreement, resorting to communique  Australian Broadcasting Corporation MoS Pabitra Margherita meets Australia PM Albanese at Port Moresby during Papua New Guinea I-day celebrations - Tribune IndiaMoS Pabitra Margherita meets Australia PM Albanese at Port Moresby during Papua New Guinea I-day celebrations  Tribune India Australia gifts Papua New Guinea Parliament House - dailypioneer.comAustralia gifts Papua New Guinea Parliament House  dailypioneer.com Embarrassment for Australian PM as he leaves Papua New Guinea without signing defence treaty - The IndependentEmbarrassment for Australian PM as he leaves Papua New Guinea without signing defence treaty  The Independent Japan to give disaster-relief machinery to Papua New Guinea - The Japan TimesJapan to give disaster-relief machinery to Papua New Guinea  The Japan Times Papua New Guinea, Australia to vow mutual defence in new treaty - The HinduPapua New Guinea, Australia to vow mutual defence in new treaty  The Hindu 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 EAM Jaishankar wishes Papua New Guinea on Independence Day - DD NewsEAM Jaishankar wishes Papua New Guinea on Independence Day  DD News ‘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 Minister of State Pabitra Margherita Visits Papua New Guinea, Extends India’s Warm Greetings on 50th Independence Day - NewsonairMinister of State Pabitra Margherita Visits Papua New Guinea, Extends India’s Warm Greetings on 50th Independence Day  Newsonair Australia gifts Papua New Guinea a Parliament House extension for its 50th independence anniversary - AP NewsAustralia gifts Papua New Guinea a Parliament House extension for its 50th independence anniversary  AP News USINDOPACOM Commander celebrates PNG’s 50th Independence Day, breaks ground for Fuel Storage Facility - pacom.milUSINDOPACOM Commander celebrates PNG’s 50th Independence Day, breaks ground for Fuel Storage Facility  pacom.mil MoS Margherita interacts with Indian community in Papua New Guinea - sentinelassam.comMoS Margherita interacts with Indian community in Papua New Guinea  sentinelassam.com Magnitude 6 earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea’s New Ireland Region, GFZ says - The Indian ExpressMagnitude 6 earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea’s New Ireland Region, GFZ says  The Indian Express MoS Margherita interacts with business community of Papua New Guinea - The Rahnuma DailyMoS Margherita interacts with business community of Papua New Guinea  The Rahnuma Daily Australia, Papua New Guinea delay security pact - Anadolu AjansiAustralia, Papua New Guinea delay security pact  Anadolu Ajansi Australia and Papua New Guinea: a relationship worth investing in - The Strategist | ASPI's analysis and commentary siteAustralia and Papua New Guinea: a relationship worth investing in  The Strategist | ASPI's analysis and commentary site Minister of State Pabitra Margherita Attends Papua New Guinea’s Independence Celebrations - Northeast TodayMinister of State Pabitra Margherita Attends Papua New Guinea’s Independence Celebrations  Northeast Today Pacific leaders gather to celebrate 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence - The GuardianPacific leaders gather to celebrate 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinea’s independence  The Guardian Minister Pabitra Margherita Represents India at Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Day Celebrations - sentinelassam.comMinister Pabitra Margherita Represents India at Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Day Celebrations  sentinelassam.com Magnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea - Anadolu AjansiMagnitude 6.0 earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea  Anadolu Ajansi Minister Pabitra Margherita represents India at Papua New Guineas 50th Independence Day celebrations - Tribune IndiaMinister Pabitra Margherita represents India at Papua New Guineas 50th Independence Day celebrations  Tribune India 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 Magnitude 6 earthquake hits Papua New Guinea’s New Ireland Region - Deccan HeraldMagnitude 6 earthquake hits Papua New Guinea’s New Ireland Region  Deccan Herald Hot, sweaty, and confused in Papua New Guinea - ArchitectureAndDesign.com.auHot, sweaty, and confused in Papua New Guinea  ArchitectureAndDesign.com.au MoS Margherita interacts with business community of Papua New Guinea Archives - The Rahnuma DailyMoS Margherita interacts with business community of Papua New Guinea Archives  The Rahnuma Daily The Centre for Species Survival Papua New Guinea is established as the first in the Pacific Islands in partnership with Port Moresby Nature Park - International Union for Conservation of NatureThe Centre for Species Survival Papua New Guinea is established as the first in the Pacific Islands in partnership with Port Moresby Nature Park  International Union for Conservation of Nature Australian PM fails to finalise neo-colonial defence treaty with Papua New Guinea - World Socialist Web SiteAustralian PM fails to finalise neo-colonial defence treaty with Papua New Guinea  World Socialist Web Site PM Modi thanks former UK PM Rishi Sunak, Papua New Guinea PM James Marape for birthday wishes - Tribune IndiaPM Modi thanks former UK PM Rishi Sunak, Papua New Guinea PM James Marape for birthday wishes  Tribune India Australian PM falls short of securing defense treaty with Papua New Guinea - Latest news from AzerbaijanAustralian PM falls short of securing defense treaty with Papua New Guinea  Latest news from Azerbaijan Before PNG gained independence, it was a colony of Australia - Australian Broadcasting CorporationBefore PNG gained independence, it was a colony of Australia  Australian Broadcasting Corporation Papua New Guinea, Australia hold security talks after landmark defence treaty stalls - ThePrintPapua New Guinea, Australia hold security talks after landmark defence treaty stalls  ThePrint 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 Australia, Papua New Guinea sign communique after mutual defence treaty stalls - ThePrintAustralia, Papua New Guinea sign communique after mutual defence treaty stalls  ThePrint Australia, Papua New Guinea delay mutual defense treaty - The Jakarta PostAustralia, Papua New Guinea delay mutual defense treaty  The Jakarta Post 'Battle ready': Australia and PNG will be obliged to defend each other under treaty - 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ICCPapua New Guinea v Jersey | Match Highlights | ICC CWC Challenge League A  ICC Albanese’s defence pact with Papua New Guinea faces delay amid sovereignty concerns - National HeraldAlbanese’s defence pact with Papua New Guinea faces delay amid sovereignty concerns  National Herald Australia-Papua New Guinea Defence Talks Highlight Regional Security Dynamics - DevdiscourseAustralia-Papua New Guinea Defence Talks Highlight Regional Security Dynamics  Devdiscourse 'We are an ancient people': Papua New Guinea celebrates 50 years of nationhood - RNZ'We are an ancient people': Papua New Guinea celebrates 50 years of nationhood  RNZ Papua New Guinea v Denmark | Match Highlights | ICC CWC Challenge League A | ICC CWC Challenge League A, 2024-26 | ICC - ICCPapua New Guinea v Denmark | Match Highlights | ICC CWC Challenge League A | ICC CWC Challenge League A, 2024-26 | ICC  ICC Australia, Papua New Guinea Delay Mutual Defense Treaty - The China-Global South ProjectAustralia, Papua New Guinea Delay Mutual Defense Treaty  The China-Global South Project Australia, Papua New Guinea sign communique after mutual defence treaty stalls - 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The Manila TimesAustralia, Papua New Guinea delay signing mutual defense treaty  The Manila Times Tsunami warning issued for Papua New Guinea after a strong magnitude 6.9 earthquake - The HinduTsunami warning issued for Papua New Guinea after a strong magnitude 6.9 earthquake  The Hindu Australia, Papua New Guinea Sign Defense Communique - Marine LinkAustralia, Papua New Guinea Sign Defense Communique  Marine Link Who are the Papua New Guineans? 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