Changes

Mt. Hagen is the largest city in the Highlands. The other major town in the Highlands is Goroka. Thousands of people live in various smaller towns, and in thousands of remote villages. Many of the older people and pre-school age children speak only their native language. Since the people are tribally oriented, they throng together in the towns and along the roads in great numbers. They excel in group activities such as rugby and [[volleyball]].

Mt. Hagen is the largest city in the Highlands. The other major town in the Highlands is Goroka. Thousands of people live in various smaller towns, and in thousands of remote villages. Many of the older people and pre-school age children speak only their native language. Since the people are tribally oriented, they throng together in the towns and along the roads in great numbers. They excel in group activities such as rugby and [[volleyball]].

*Land area: 462,860 sq. km.; about the size of California.

*Land area: 462,860 km².; about the size of California.

*Cities: Capital—Port Moresby (254,158). Other cities—Lae (78,038), Mt. Hagen (27,789).

*Cities: Capital—Port Moresby (254,158). Other cities—Lae (78,038), Mt. Hagen (27,789).

*Terrain: Mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills. The largest portion of the population lives in fertile highlands valleys that were unknown to the outside world until the 1930s, but that supported agriculture some 10,000 years ago, possibly before agriculture was developed elsewhere.  

*Terrain: Mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills. The largest portion of the population lives in fertile highlands valleys that were unknown to the outside world until the 1930s, but that supported agriculture some 10,000 years ago, possibly before agriculture was developed elsewhere.  

Population-wise, PNG is one of the most diverse countries on [[Earth]], originally with over 850 indigenous [[language]]s, and at least as many traditional societies, out of a population of just under 6 million.

Population-wise, PNG is one of the most diverse countries on [[Earth]], originally with over 850 indigenous [[language]]s, and at least as many traditional societies, out of a population of just under 6 million.

In 2001, officials stated that there were 817 native languages still in use. The most prominant spoken language in the Highlands is Melanesian Pidgin. It is a mixture containing about 1000 [[English]] words, many [[German language|German]] words, and of course various tribal words. Eighty percent of what is published in PNG is English, and that is the official language of business, government, and most education.

In 2001, officials stated that there were 817 native languages still in use. The most prominent spoken language in the Highlands is Melanesian Pidgin. It is a mixture containing about 1000 [[English]] words, many [[German language|German]] words, and of course various tribal words. Eighty percent of what is published in PNG is English, and that is the official language of business, government, and most education.

Most of the people are warm-hearted and friendly, but there is a very serious crime problem. [[Christianity|Christian]] [[missionary|missionaries]] have succeeded in bringing some peace among the highlands tribes, but tribal wars are still a major problem.

Most of the people are warm-hearted and friendly, but there is a very serious crime problem. [[Christianity|Christian]] [[missionary|missionaries]] have succeeded in bringing some peace among the highlands tribes, but tribal wars are still a major problem.