Papua New Guinea

I

Introduction

Papua New Guinea, independent nation lying east of Indonesia and north of Australia in the south-western Pacific Ocean. The eastern half of the island of New Guinea, called the mainland, accounts for more than 80 per cent of the total land area of 462,840 sq km (178,704 sq mi). The most important of Papua New Guinea’s many island groups are the Bismarck Archipelago, the Louisiade Archipelago, the Trobriand Islands, the D’Entrecasteaux Islands, and Woodlark Island; other nearby islands include Bougainville and Buka.

Papua New Guinea is bounded on the north by the Bismarck Sea; on the east by the Solomon Sea; on the south by the Coral Sea, the Gulf of Papua, and the Torres Strait; and on the west by the Indonesian province of Papua (formerly Irian Jaya).

II

Land and Resources

The coastline of mainland Papua New Guinea is mostly low-lying. In the south it is deeply indented by river mouths and by a number of bays, including, at the eastern extremity, Milne Bay. The River Daru forms a vast low-lying, swampy delta plain in the south-west. From here the land rises to the rugged mountains of the interior, which include the Bismarck and Owen Stanley ranges. The highest point is Mount Wilhelm (4,509 m/14,793 ft). The mainland rivers include the Fly, also in the south-west; the Purari, in the south; the Sepik and Ramu, in the north; and the Markham, in the east. The Fly is navigable in its lower course. Some of Papua New Guinea’s major islands, such as New Britain, New Ireland, and Bougainville, are mountainous and volcanic in origin; many of the small islands are low-lying coral atolls.

A

Climate

The climate of Papua New Guinea is typically monsoonal, being hot and humid throughout the year. In the lowlands temperatures range between 21.1° and 32.2° C (70° and 90° F). In the mountainous regions lows of 3.3° C (38° F) have been recorded. Annual rainfall totals nearly 5,080 mm (200 in) in the Milne Bay region and about 5,840 mm (230 in) at the mouth of the Fly River. Port Moresby, which lies between these two points, is sheltered by the Owen Stanley Range and receives only about 1,145 mm (45 in) of rain annually.

B

Plants and Animals

Nearly three quarters of Papua New Guinea is covered by dense tropical rainforest. Sago and mangrove swamps are found along parts of the coast of the mainland. Scattered stands of pine trees are found on the mountains, as are deciduous forest and some alpine flora.

Papua New Guinea’s wildlife is abundant and varied. Commonly found mammals include the tree kangaroo, wallaby, wild pig, dingo, and varieties of squirrel, rat, bat, and mouse. Numerous species of butterflies and tropical birds abound, including the world’s largest butterfly, the bird wing, and the bird of paradise. Reptile species are numerous. The coastal waters support many species of fish, shellfish, and turtle.