Papua New Guinea:

Region: Oceania – Melanesia

Capital: Port Moresby

Official Language/s: English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu

Population: 5711000

Currency: Kina

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Geography Redone: The mainland of Papua New Guinea is the eastern half of the island where the capital, Port Moresby, and other large towns are located. Papua New Guinea is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and as a result there are a number of active volcanoes and eruptions. Earthquakes and tsunamis are similarly common.

Economy Redone: Papua New Guinea is blessed with natural resources however the rugged terrain, cost of infrastructure and complicated land ownership laws have meant these resources have been left untapped. Agriculture is the country’s main industry with 85% of the population having an agricultural subsistence livelihood. 72% of Papua New Guinea’s export earnings derive from mineral dposits such as oil, copper and gold.

Language Redone: With over 820 indigenous languages Papua New Guinea has more languages than any other country, representing twelve percent of the world’s total. However there are only three official languages for Papua New Guinea, these are English which is not widely spoken, Tok Pisin, the main language used and  Hiri Motu prevalent in the southern region of Papua.

Religion: The constitution of Papua New Guinea provides protection of the right to freedom of religion. The 2000 census showed 96 percent of citizens were members of a Christian church; however, many citizens combine their Christian faith with some pre-Christian traditional indigenous practices. The churches with the largest number of members are the Roman Catholic Church accounting for 30% of the population as well as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea and the United Church of Papua New Guinea.

Culture: The culture of Papua New Guinea is comprehensive and complex with estimates of more than a thousand different cultural groups in PNG. As a result many different styles of cultural expression have emerged with each group creating its own expressive modes of art, dance, weaponry, costumes, singing, music and architecture. Traditionally those who become skilled at hunting, farming or fishing secure a great deal of respect.