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

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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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Scientists discover kadedekedewa, a species of ‘walking’ shark in Papua New Guinea - The Indian ExpressScientists discover kadedekedewa, a species of ‘walking’ shark in Papua New Guinea  The Indian Express Second Australian state reports bird flu case; Papua New Guinea blocks poultry imports - TradingViewSecond Australian state reports bird flu case; Papua New Guinea blocks poultry imports  TradingView Australia ramps up bird flu testing as Papua New Guinea blocks poultry imports after confirmed cases - BusinessWorld OnlineAustralia ramps up bird flu testing as Papua New Guinea blocks poultry imports after confirmed cases  BusinessWorld Online Papua New Guinea blocks access to Facebook to limit circulation of hate speech, misinformation - News On AIRPapua New Guinea blocks access to Facebook to limit circulation of hate speech, misinformation  News On AIR Papua New Guinea bans Australian poultry imports after bird flu cases - AnewZPapua New Guinea bans Australian poultry imports after bird flu cases  AnewZ PNG reverses bird flu ban on Australian chicken and egg imports - Australian Broadcasting CorporationPNG reverses bird flu ban on Australian chicken and egg imports  Australian Broadcasting Corporation Never-before-seen shark that 'walks' on land discovered off Papua New Guinea - Live ScienceNever-before-seen shark that 'walks' on land discovered off Papua New Guinea  Live Science Australia ramps up bird flu testing as second state reports case - ReutersAustralia ramps up bird flu testing as second state reports case  Reuters Scientists Discover Amazing New Species of "Walking Shark" in Papua New Guinea - A-Z AnimalsScientists Discover Amazing New Species of "Walking Shark" in Papua New Guinea  A-Z Animals Second Australian state reports bird flu case; Papua New Guinea blocks poultry imports - InternazionaleSecond Australian state reports bird flu case; Papua New Guinea blocks poultry imports  Internazionale NZDF supports successful operation to remove WWII-era explosives in Papua New Guinea - NZDFNZDF supports successful operation to remove WWII-era explosives in Papua New Guinea  NZDF Israel-Papua New Guinea Relations - Jewish Virtual LibraryIsrael-Papua New Guinea Relations  Jewish Virtual Library Israel to open representative office in Papua New Guinea, FM Sa'ar announces after talks with PM - The Jerusalem PostIsrael to open representative office in Papua New Guinea, FM Sa'ar announces after talks with PM  The Jerusalem Post Floating volcanic rock is disrupting life in Papua New Guinea – and the problem will last a long time - University of TasmaniaFloating volcanic rock is disrupting life in Papua New Guinea – and the problem will last a long time  University of Tasmania US troops on EOD duty for World War II-era bombs in Papua New Guinea - Stars and StripesUS troops on EOD duty for World War II-era bombs in Papua New Guinea  Stars and Stripes Papua New Guinea bans Australian chicken, eggs imports amid confirmed bird flu cases in WA - The West AustralianPapua New Guinea bans Australian chicken, eggs imports amid confirmed bird flu cases in WA  The West Australian Port Moresby's water supply network showing 'signs of imminent failure' - Australian Broadcasting CorporationPort Moresby's water supply network showing 'signs of imminent failure'  Australian Broadcasting Corporation Pumice clogs island shores after Papua New Guinea eruption, stoking fears of food shortage - ReutersPumice clogs island shores after Papua New Guinea eruption, stoking fears of food shortage  Reuters Death toll rises to 23 in Papua New Guinea following devastating tropical cyclone - News On AIRDeath toll rises to 23 in Papua New Guinea following devastating tropical cyclone  News On AIR 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 Special Advisor to the Prime Minister OUE’s Visit to Papua New Guinea and Tonga - mofa.go.jpSpecial Advisor to the Prime Minister OUE’s Visit to Papua New Guinea and Tonga  mofa.go.jp Australia and Papua New Guinea - Geoscience AustraliaAustralia and Papua New Guinea  Geoscience Australia Production - Papua New Guinea - USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (.gov)Production - Papua New Guinea  USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (.gov) IMF approves $163 million in new funding for Papua New Guinea - ReutersIMF approves $163 million in new funding for Papua New Guinea  Reuters Major pipeline to Port Moresby at risk of collapsing - Australian Broadcasting CorporationMajor pipeline to Port Moresby at risk of collapsing  Australian Broadcasting Corporation No Vaccine No Problem: Papua New Guinea Malaria Deaths Fall by 92% - Good News NetworkNo Vaccine No Problem: Papua New Guinea Malaria Deaths Fall by 92%  Good News Network 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 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 EU-backed $25m water plan targets Papua New Guinea amid stark gaps - 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Mongabay 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 PNG's soccer talent deserves better from those that run the game - ABC Pacific - Australian Broadcasting CorporationPNG's soccer talent deserves better from those that run the game - ABC Pacific  Australian Broadcasting Corporation Santos to proceed with gas tie-in project in Papua New Guinea - ReutersSantos to proceed with gas tie-in project in Papua New Guinea  Reuters Papua New Guinea: Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila - Disaster Management Team Situation Report No. 02 (18 April 2026) - ReliefWebPapua New Guinea: Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila - Disaster Management Team Situation Report No. 02 (18 April 2026)  ReliefWeb Papua New Guinea’s journey toward universal ID: How SevisPass and SevisWallet are building a more inclusive future - 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RNZPNG's ruling party supports 15-year transition period for Bougainville  RNZ UNDP Supports Papua New Guinea in Developing Its Third National Climate Pledge - UNDPUNDP Supports Papua New Guinea in Developing Its Third National Climate Pledge  UNDP Papua New Guinea’s complicated inheritance • Graeme Dobell - insidestory.org.auPapua New Guinea’s complicated inheritance • Graeme Dobell  insidestory.org.au Anger in Papua New Guinea after Starlink ordered to shut down internet services - The GuardianAnger in Papua New Guinea after Starlink ordered to shut down internet services  The Guardian 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 In photos: Ronan and Storm Keating in Papua New Guinea - UNICEF AustraliaIn photos: Ronan and Storm Keating in Papua New Guinea  UNICEF Australia IMF approves $A231m in funding for Papua New Guinea - National Indigenous TimesIMF approves $A231m in funding for Papua New Guinea  National Indigenous Times Papua New Guinea Country Profile (March 2026) - ReliefWebPapua New Guinea Country Profile (March 2026)  ReliefWeb OFC Pro League | Welcome to Papua New Guinea - Oceania Football ConfederationOFC Pro League | Welcome to Papua New Guinea  Oceania Football Confederation ‘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 Magnitude 5.58 earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea, GFZ says - ReutersMagnitude 5.58 earthquake strikes Papua New Guinea, GFZ says  Reuters From Port Moresby to Cerberus - defence.gov.auFrom Port Moresby to Cerberus  defence.gov.au InterContinental hotel coming to Papua New Guinea - Travel WeeklyInterContinental hotel coming to Papua New Guinea  Travel Weekly Papua New Guinea Climate and Special Services: March 2026 Drought Update - ReliefWebPapua New Guinea Climate and Special Services: March 2026 Drought Update  ReliefWeb Papua New Guinea and Partners Announce over $12 Million Partnership to Drive Education Reforms and Boost Learning Outcomes - 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