Independent State
of Papua New Guinea[pap'oo uh noo gihn'E]
Location eastern half of the
island of New Guinea, as well as a chain of islands that
extend over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers)
Bordered By Indonesia
Total Area 178,656 sq mi (462,840 sq km)
Highest Point Mount
Wilhelm; 14,793 ft (4,509 m)
Lowest Point Pacific coast; sea level
Natural Resources gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
Nationality Papua New Guinean
Population (July 2007 est)
5,795,887
Largest Cities Port Moresby
Ethnic Groups
Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Religions Roman Catholic, Lutheran,
Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society;
Anglican, Evangelical Alliance, Seventh-Day Adventist
Languages Melanesian Pidgin, English
Capital Port Moresby
Form of Government constitutional
parliamentary democracy
Current Constitution Adopted September
16, 1975
Chief of State Queen Elizabeth II
(since February 6, 1952)
Head of Government Prime Minister Sir Michael
Somare (since August 2, 2002)
Cabinet National Executive Council, appointed by
Governor General on recommendation of Prime Minister
Legislature unicameral National Parliament
Judiciary Supreme Court
Local Administration 20 provinces
Currency Kina
Per Capita Income $2,700
Industries copra crushing, palm oil processing,
plywood production, wood chip production, gold mining,
silver mining, copper mining, crude oil production,
petroleum refining, construction, tourism
Agricultural Products coffee, cocoa, copra, palm
kernels, tea, sugar, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit,
vegetables, vanilla; shell fish, poultry, pork
Export Commodities oil, gold, copper ore, logs,
palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns
Import Commodities machinery and transport
equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals
Independence Achieved September
16, 1975
From Australian-administered UN
trusteeship
National Holiday Independence Day,
September 16
Flag divided diagonally from upper
hoist-side corner; upper triangle is red with a soaring
yellow bird of paradise centered; lover triangle in black
with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern
Cross constellation centered
The Robinson Library
History: General and Old World.--Australia. Oceania.--New Guinea.
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