51 Most Interesting Facts about Papua New Guinea to Touch YOU
‘Papua New Guinea’ the world’s most culturally manifold, geographically exceptional, and moderately pristine country.
In the Pacific Ocean, this island country is blessed with beautiful fauna & flora. Significantly, there are lots of trees, animals, a variety of natural beauty, and the mystery that surrounded the country.
Whatever, you’re going to have a trip or only curious to explore Papua New Guinea; walk with us to discover different tribes, cultures, traditions, languages and more interesting facts.
So, let’s start!
Quick Information about Papua New Guinea
Official Name: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Capital City: Port Moresby
Population: 7,259,456
Area: 462,840 sq km
Languages: Tok Pisin, English, Hiri Motu
Time Zone: UTC+10/+11 (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
(Source: CIA World Fact Book)
Interesting Facts about Papua New Guinea to touch you
What is Papua New Guinea Known for
No#1: From where the name was taken?
The word Papua has come from an old local term of uncertain origin. “New Guinea” (Nueva Guinea) was taken by the Spanish explorer Yñigo Ortiz de Retz.
No#2: Population & World position:
According to the statistic on 7 April 2021, the total population is 90,75,705 and 98thnumberas population position in the world.
No#3: Capital:
The city is established in 1873 by Royal navy Captain John Moresby. Then it is called Port Moresby.
Information about PNG
No#4: Independence:
It became independent in 1975 after 60 years of oppression by Australia.
At present, people are living freedom.
Famous Papua New Guineans
No#5: World’s Largest Island:
It is one of the third-largest island countries in the world. That’s why citizens are proud of it.
No#6: Official Language:
- English
- Hiri Motu
- Tok Pisin
No#7: Highest Indigenous language:
There are 851 types of languages used here by the people, which is the world’s highest indigenous language.
No#8: Culture:
There is a unique diversity in terms of culture that has made the country an unimaginable place of honour.
No#9: Land Area:
The total land area is 462840 square kilometre.
No#10: Religion:
Most of the people are Christian. Theirpercentis is 95.5.Besides Protestantism 64.3%,Catholicism 26.0% .
No#11: Currency:
Papua New Guinea “Kina” is the name of the currency.
No#12: Prime Minister:
The honourable prime minister is James Marape as well as he is the head of government.
No#13: Economy:
The economy is dominated by the forestry, agricultural, fishing side and minerals that are helping their country development.
No#14: Election system
The government has no chance of casting a vote in the election, even though this was the case earlier. Now government consists of parliament members.
Important fact about Papua New Guinea
No#15: Natural resource:
Crude oil, Silver, Coffee, Palmoil, Gold, Copper etc. among them are natural resources.
No#16: Sports:
Rugby league is the most popular sport in Papua New Guinea, and other people like football, cricket, and softball.
Papua New Guinea Culture Facts
No#17: Stable festival:
The stable festival is below:
- Sepik crocodile,
- Engashow,
- Goroka show,
- Tufi Tapa Tattoo,
- Hagen show etc.
No#18: Climate:
Different place, Different temperature! The lowland area’s maximum temperature is 30 to 32 degree Celsius and a minimum of 23-24 degree Celsius, but daytime is 22 degree Celsius.
No#19: Education system:
It has three levels for education:
- Primary,
- secondary and
- tertiary.
Most teachers give instruction to their students in English. Attendance is not obligate of their education system.
No#20: Tourist spots:
To see the beauty of natural scenery, this country is one of the most beautiful places; Such as Trek the Kokoda track, MountWilhelm, Island hopping in Madang, etc.
No#21: Airport:
Like other countries in the world, it has modern airports arrangement to give the service for passenger. The total airport is 449; among them one large, 20 medium and 428 minor.
No#22: GDP:
Since their profession has not been modernized, so the total GDP is 24.83 billion USD (2019)
No#23: Nation dress:
Despite having different groups, their national costume is the meri blouse in Tok Pisin. It is not only lovely but also a national symbol.
Papua New Guinea History Facts
No#24: Love Marriage:
When men and women reach adulthood, they can spend time with the opposite gender, and if they want, they can marry each other.
No#25: Port:
It is contributing to own economic development and here has around ten ports like buka,kieta,lae, kimbe are most famous.
No#26: Colonial period:
In 1526, the first European visitor may have been Jorge de Meneses, who landed on the island. Then Europe was made its colonization in 1793 by Lieut; gradually, it is now Papua New Guinea.
No#27: Skin:
As lots of people live here, but typically body colour is black.
Weird Thing for Papua New Guinea
No#28: Communication:
Radio plays a crucial role in connectivity though television is not available here.
No#29: Multiple wives:
It is the custom of the rich and wealthy person to build separate houses for multiple wives.
No#30: Food:
Favorite foods are Taro leaf, cassava, cassava leaf, breadfruit, edible leafy greens (kumu), coconut and fruits. The traditional meat is pork, which is often eaten on special occasions.
No#31: Physical relation:
Same-sex relations are not legal and punishable by up to 14 years of confinement in PNG’s criminal code.
No#32: Ethnic groups:
Noticeable among the ethnic groups are; Micronesian, Papuan, negrito, Melanesian, Polynesian.
No#33: Age structure:
In 2020 data says:
- 0-14 years: 31.98% (male1, 182,539/female1, 139,358)
- 15-24years:19.87% (male 731,453/female 711,164)
- 25-54 years: 37.68 %( male1, 397,903/female1, 337,143)
- 55-64 years: 5.83% (male218, 529/female204, 717)
- 65 years and over 4.64 %( male164, 734/female117,916)
No#34: Island:
The country of more than 600 islands is sparsely populated, although not all islands are inhabited.
No#35: Tree kangaroo:
A few men may be seen as Australian kangaroo, but tree kangaroo brings another beauty of biodiversity.
No#36: Poisonous birds:
The hooded pitohui bird is native to this island; medium-sized with chestnut & black plumage. This bird originates batrachotoxin compounds in its skin, feathers, and other tissues.
The poison protects the birds from parasites & predators. Native hunters try to skip hunting these birds.
No#37: Snowfall:
Although this country sits 160km north of Australia, fairly under the equator, enjoying a warm climate, snow has been recognized to fall on the mainland mountaintops.
No#38: Global Biodiversity:
Papua New Guinea covers almost 5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity, although it only has 1 per cent of the world’s entire land area. More than-
- 800 coral species,
- 20,000 plant species,
- 600 fish species,
- And 750 birds species.
No#39: Mineral deposits:
In the region of the country, there are mineral deposits of gold, copper, nickel, plumbum, iron, manganese, and platinum.
No#40: City people:
Only 18 per cent of Papua New Guinean s is living in city centres.
No#41: Commonwealth membership:
In 1975 after being Independent, Papua New Guinea State became a member of the Commonwealth.
No#42: Head of State.
The monarch of the U. K works as the Head of State of this country.
No#43: Converting Muslims:
Through the last decades, Papua New Guinea natives converted to Muslims rapidly. There are few natives of the country.
No#44: Tourism:
Still, tourism in this country is in infancy, so accommodation, transportation, and tourism are almost underdeveloped, balancing with western countries.
You must need to be so sensitive to their cultures, traditions and customs.
No#45: Continents split:
Geopolitically, New Guinea is split into two continents: Oceania and Asia.
No#46: “Ring of Fire:”
Papua New Guinea is on the “Ring of Fire”, a region prey to the volcanic task. Current eruptions cover Mount Tavurvur (2014), Kadovar Island (2018) and Mount Ulawun (2019).
No#47: Crops:
This country is largely agricultural depending; with the main export, crops are coffee, cocoa, and palm oil. Next crops include taro, bananas, yams, sweet potato, breadfruit, wild sago, and rice.
No#48: Industries:
Meanwhile, minerals such as gold, oil, copper make up almost 72 per cent of export earnings.
No#49: Skin like crocodiles:
In the Sepik region of Papua New Guinea’s, young men make their skin in favor of crocodiles. The men cut their shoulders, upper torsos & backs with razor blades.
Papua New Guinea Fun Facts
No#50: Paradisaeidae bird:
Papua New Guinea is considering a world-class birding region well known for the Paradisaeidae bird; Many Papuan tribes say this is a sacred bird.
No#51: Largest butterfly:
In PNG, you will find the world’s most significant butterfly spices called Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing, having a wingspan of 9.8 inches!
Oh, congratulation! Hope you enjoy it a lot. Which Interesting Facts about Papua New Guinea touch you mostly let us know to leave a comment.
