Geography

Papua New Guinea (PNG), rich in natural resources, lies within the tropics; its mainland and islands cover an area of some 461,700 square kilometres. The mainland is divided by a massive mountain range known as the Owen Stanley Range which includes some of the highest peaks in the Pacific and rises to over 4000 metres. To the north and south of the watershed flow great rivers, some navigable for hundreds of kilometres inland.

The country is covered with tropical rain forests, except on the intensely farmed Highland valleys. Industry is being actively developed and a government initiative is encouraging the development of tourism and ancillary services in this unspoiled land which boasts so many natural attractions and resources.


Population

The people of PNG consist of a wide variety of ethnic and cultural groups. Melanesians, mainly located in the islands, make up the remainder of the population. Due to the diffcult terrain, separate development of the many ethnic groups and communities has resulted in the evolution of over 770 languages and dialects. The official language is English, but Pidgin and Hiri Motu are also widely used. PNG has a population of approximately 4 million people.


Government

For many years, Australia administered PNG. However, in September 1975, PNG became an independent nation. It is a parliamentary democracy and the Queen of England is the Head of State, represented by her appointed Governor General. The seat of government is in Port Moresby, the nation's capital.


Economy

The economic activity in PNG tends to be small and fragmented; however, the level of both imports and exports is high.

Agricultural and mineral commodities account for 95% of all exports. Coffee, cocoa, copra, copra oil, palm oil, rubber, tea and sugar are the major agricultural commodities exported. Imports are mainly foods and livestock, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum, manufactured goods, and chemicals and associated producs.

Village crop production is normally for subsistence, but the growth of towns has encouraged the development of small-scale cash crops which are sold at town markets.