General background: The eastern half of the
island of New Guinea - second largest in the world -
was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south)
in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia
in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during
World War I and continued to administer the combined
areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist
revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997,
after claiming some 20,000 lives.
Area comparative:
Slightly larger than California.
Climate:
Tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast
monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature
variation.
Terrain: Mostly mountains
with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills.
Population: 5,172,033 (July 2002 est.)
Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito,
Micronesian, Polynesian
Religions: Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London
Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance
4%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs 34%
Language: English spoken by 1%-2%, Pidgin
English widespread, Motu spoken in Papua region
note: 715 Indigenous languages
Government type: Constitutional monarchy with
parliamentary democracy
Capital: Port Moresby
Legal system: Based on English common law
Economic overview: Papua New Guinea is richly
endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has
been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost
of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides
a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population.
Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold,
account for 72% of export earnings. The economy has
declined over the past two years and will probably
continue to falter in 2002. Prime Minister Mekere
MORAUTA has tried to restore integrity to state institutions,
stabilize the kina, restore stability to the national
budget, privatise public enterprises where appropriate,
and ensure ongoing peace on Bougainville. The government
has had considerable success in attracting international
support, specifically gaining the support of the IMF
and the World Bank in securing development assistance
loans. Significant challenges remain for MORAUTA,
however, including gaining further investor confidence,
specifically for the proposed Papua New Guinea-Australia
oil pipeline, continuing efforts to privatise government
assets, and maintaining the support of members of
Parliament.
Communication/Telephone system: Services are
adequate and being improved; facilities provide radiotelephone
and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio,
and international radio communication services.
Places of interest:
Travel tips: There have been reports of robbery,
mugging, rape etc. recently. The best advice is to
simply use your head and take reasonable care.
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