# Papua New Guinea

> country in Oceania

**Wikidata**: [Q691](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q691)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/papua-new-guinea

## Summary
Papua New Guinea is a sovereign island country located in Oceania, specifically within the Melanesia region. It became an independent state in 1975 and is a constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as its head of state. The nation is known for its extraordinary linguistic and cultural diversity, with the motto "Unity in Diversity."

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: Papua New Guinea became an independent country in 1975.
- **Capital**: The capital city is Port Moresby.
- **Area**: The country has a total area of 462,840 square kilometers.
- **Population**: The population was approximately 8.9 million people as of 2020.
- **Government**: It is a constitutional monarchy and a Commonwealth realm.
- **Official Languages**: English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and Papua New Guinean Sign Language.
- **Currency**: The official currency is the kina.
- **Location**: It is part of Oceania and Melanesia, sharing land borders with Indonesia and maritime borders with Australia, the Solomon Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
- **Highest Point**: Mount Wilhelm is the highest peak.
- **UN Membership**: Papua New Guinea joined the United Nations on October 10, 1975.

## FAQs
**What is the basic geography of Papua New Guinea?**
Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, along with numerous offshore islands. Its terrain is predominantly mountainous and covered in tropical rainforest, and it is located just south of the equator in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.

**What languages are spoken there?**
The country has four official languages: English, Tok Pisin (an English-based creole), Hiri Motu (a Motu-based creole), and Papua New Guinean Sign Language. However, it is renowned for its incredible linguistic diversity, being home to over 800 indigenous languages.

**What type of government does it have?**
Papua New Guinea is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The British monarch, currently King Charles III, is the head of state, represented by a Governor-General. The head of government is the Prime Minister, a position held by James Marape since 2019.

## Why It Matters
Papua New Guinea is significant for its status as one of the world's most culturally and linguistically diverse nations, offering a unique window into human social organization and adaptation. Its vast tropical forests are a critical carbon sink and a hotspot of biodiversity, home to many endemic species. The country also plays a strategic role in the geopolitics of the South Pacific, maintaining relationships with major powers like Australia, China, and the United States.

## Notable For
- **Linguistic Diversity**: It possesses the greatest concentration of languages on Earth, with over 800 distinct tongues.
- **Cultural Plurality**: The population is comprised of hundreds of distinct tribal groups, each with its own traditions.
- **Biodiversity**: Its rainforests are part of the third-largest tropical rainforest in the world, hosting unique flora and fauna.
- **Commonwealth Realm**: It is one of 15 independent nations that share the British monarch as head of state.

## Body

### Government and Politics
Papua New Guinea is a sovereign state and a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is King Charles III, whose representative in the country is the Governor-General. Executive power is exercised by the government, led by the Prime Minister, currently James Marape. The legislative branch is the unicameral National Parliament. The nation is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, having joined upon its independence in 1975.

### International Relations
Papua New Guinea is an active member of the international community. It joined the United Nations on October 10, 1975. It is also a member of the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, and the Commonwealth of Nations. The country maintains diplomatic relations with numerous nations, including Australia, China, the United States, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom.

### Geography and Environment
The country has a total land area of 462,840 sq km. It is located in Oceania, specifically within the region of Melanesia, and is an archipelagic state. Its terrain is marked by a central mountain range, dense rainforests, and extensive river systems. The highest point is Mount Wilhelm at 4,509 meters, and the lowest point is sea level at the Pacific Ocean. The country is administratively divided into four regions (Highlands, Islands, Momase, Southern) and 22 provinces, including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

### Demographics and Society
The estimated population in 2020 was 8,935,000. The population is predominantly rural. The birth rate in 2022 was 25.112 per 1,000 people, while the death rate was 6.459 per 1,000 people. Life expectancy was 66 years as of 2022. The total fertility rate was 2.79 children per woman in 2021. The country is ethnically composed mainly of Melanesians, Papuans, and smaller groups including Negritos, Micronesians, and Polynesians.

### Culture
The national motto is "Unity in Diversity," reflecting the country's immense cultural variety. The national anthem is "O Arise, All You Sons." Cultural expression is deeply rooted in the traditions of its many tribal groups, known for distinctive art forms, such as wood carving and ceremonial rituals. The tourism slogan is "A million different journeys."

### Economy
The currency is the kina (PGK). The nominal GDP was $30.63 billion USD in 2022. The central bank is the Bank of Papua New Guinea. The economy is dominated by the agricultural, mining, and resource extraction sectors, particularly gold, copper, and natural gas. The Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate is 10%.

### Infrastructure
The country drives on the left-hand side of the road. The mains electricity voltage is 240 volts at 50 Hz, using the AS/NZS 3112 plug type. The telephone country code is +675. Emergency numbers are 111 for medical services, 110 for fire, and 112 for police. The internet country code top-level domain is .pg.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/sign-language-becomes-fourth-official-language-of-papua-new-guinea/1451176)
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10. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/papua-new-guinea)
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23. [2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
24. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
25. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=PG)
26. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
27. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
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31. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
32. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=PG)
33. [Source](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
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37. [Source](https://www.ethnologue.com/country/PG/status)
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43. [Source](https://www.bti-project.org)
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45. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
46. [PAPUA NEW GUINEA latest news & coverage](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/topic/papua-new-guinea)
47. [2022](https://hdr.undp.org/inequality-adjusted-human-development-index\#/indicies/IHDI)