Papua New Guinea Overview
Country Profile
The Independent State of Papua New Guinea is located in the southwest Pacific, and covers an area of 462,800 square kilometers. It has a population of 5.46 million, most of whom are Melanesian, with Micronesians and Polynesians also residing there. Residents are primarily Christian and the official language is English, although pigeon English is more widely spoken in the country. There are also more than 700 local languages. The currency is the kina and the capital is Port Moresby.
Papua New Guinea National Flag
The flag of Papua New Guinea is black and red. The black triangle contains five white five-pointed stars, symbolizing the Southern Cross. The red triangle has a motif of a yellow bird of paradise flying.
History Summary
By the time the Portuguese arrived in New Guinea in 1511, the island had long been inhabited. In 1884 Britain and Germany divided the island, with Germany’s part being occupied by the Australian Army during World War I. 920 – ~ On December 17, 1920, the League commissioned the Australian management. In 1942 by El the occupation. In 1945 the United Nations to re-pay Australia managed. In 1949 the original British and Australia are two parts of Germany into one administrative unit, known as “Papua New Guinea territories.” On December 1, 1975, internal self-government was established, with independence declared on September 16, 1975.
Economy and Culture Overview
New Guinea’s three most important industries are minerals, oil and cash crops, and it has abundant forestry and fishery resources. The main agricultural products are copra, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and palm oil, and the main minerals are gold and copper; New Guinea is in fact one of the world’s major gold and copper producers. Oil is also exported, and crafts are another source of income, with sculpture, pottery, masks, and handicraft development being prolific.
Although Papua New Guinea is located near the equator, its highest peaks are snow-covered, forming the famous “equatorial snow.” Rich biological resources provided the perfect habitat for the precious bird of paradise and the crocodile. The wet weather provides swamps, which are ideal habitats for crocodile breeding, so crocodile farming is extremely well developed, with more than 100 crocodile farms.
Papua New Guinean society is clan based, with hereditary chiefs ruling, yet participating in daily work. No individuals own the land, with the tribe as a whole the owners. In remote mountainous areas, tribesmen are mostly naked and adorned in tattoos.
Papua New Guinea Map
