Country name conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form: Papua New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG
former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea 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.Location Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia Area total: 462,840 sq km
land: 452,860 sq km
water: 9,980 sq km Area - comparative slightly larger than California Coastline 5,152 km 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 Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m Natural hazards active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis Environment - current issues rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought Geography - note shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world"s largest swamps along southwest coast Population 5,295,816 (July 2003 est.) Age structure 0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,034,219; female 1,000,505)
15-64 years: 57.8% (male 1,582,983; female 1,479,436)
65 years and over: 3.8% (male 93,604; female 105,069) (2003 est.) Median age total: 20.8 years
male: 21 years
female: 20.6 years (2002) Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.) Nationality noun: Papua New Guinean(s)
adjective: Papua New Guinean Ethnic groups Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian Religions Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs 34% Languages English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in Papua region
note: 715 indigenous languages Internet country code .pg Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 66%
male: 72.3%
female: 59.3% (2003 est.) Government type constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy National holiday Independence Day, 16 September (1975) Legal system based on English common law International organization participation ACP, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (associate member), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Economy - 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 faltered over the past three years but will probably improve slightly in 2003. Former Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA had tried to restore integrity to state institutions, stabilize the kina, restore stability to the national budget, privatize public enterprises where appropriate, and ensure ongoing peace on Bougainville. The government has had considerable success in attracting international support, specifically gaining the backing of the IMF and the World Bank in securing development assistance loans. Significant challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE, including gaining further investor confidence, continuing efforts to privatize government assets, and maintaining the support of members of Parliament. Exports - partners Australia 23.7%, Japan 9.3%, China 5.3% (2002) Currency kina (PGK) Currency code PGK Exchange rates kina per US dollar - 3.8 (2002), 3.39 (2001), 2.78 (2000), 2.57 (1999), 2.07 (1998) Airports 491 (2002) Airports - with paved runways total: 21
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
under 914 m: 1 (2002)
914 to 1,523 m: 4 Airports - with unpaved runways total: 470
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 56
under 914 m: 403 (2002) Disputes - international Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea |
