Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG), or Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, immediately north of Australia. The country occupies the eastern half of the world's second largest island. The name of the island is New Guinea, and the name of the country is Papua New Guinea. PNG borders West Papua, formerly called Irian Jaya, on the west, which is part of Indonesia.

Papua New Guinea also includes 1300 smaller islands. Many are very small, but major ones included New Britain, New Ireland, Buka, Manus, and Bougainville. Manam Island and Karkar Island are inhabited, but also are active volcaos. PNG is located in a region defined since the early 19th century as Melanesia. Its capital, and one of its few major cities, is Port Moresby. Population-wise, it is one of the most diverse countries on Earth, originally with over 850 indigenous languages, and at least as many traditional societies, out of a population of just under 6 million.

On a map, the main part of the country resembles the profile of a large foot, with the toes pointed to the southeast. Mountains reaching as high as 14,793 feet form a backbone the entire length of the country. Coastal plains streach from the mountains to the sea, on the north and the south.

Until the 1930s, the outside world did not know that these interior mountain were inhabited. Most of the people are warm hearted and friendly, but there is a very serious crime problem. Christian missionaries have succeeded in bringing some peace among the highlands tribes, but tribal wars are still a major problem.

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 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.

The government is a "Parliamnetary Democracy," and the country is part of the Bristish Commonwealth. The 109 parliament members are elected by the people. National elections are held every 5 years, (years ending with 2 or 7) and are usually accompiied by much crime, bribery, and violence. The Parliament Members elect one of themselves to be the Prime Minister, and another to be the Governor General. The Governor General is then knighted by the British monarch, and is the king or queen's officicial representative in the country. Since Papua New Guinea became an independent state in 1975, Queen Elizabeth has been the only British monarch.

The dominant sport is rugby league.