Country data
Location: Southeast Asia
Time zone: CET + 9 (during summer time: CET + 8)
Total area: 462,840 km²
Land area: 452,860 km²
Water area: 9,980 km²
Length of the state border: 820 km
including: Indonesia: 820 km
Coastline: 5,152 km
Capital: Port Moresby
Provinces: 22
Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Hela, Jiwaka, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain, West Sepik
Electric current: 240 V / 50 Hz
Telephone code: 00 675 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Population
Population: approx. 6.6 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 1.8% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 14
Life expectancy: 65 (male), 69 (female)
Official language: Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin, English
Religions:
- 69% Protestants
- 27% Roman Catholic
- 4% other
Climate
The climate of Papua New Guinea is tropical, hot and humid. Especially near the coast it is always very warm at around 32 ° C during the day and 25 ° C at night.
In the higher mountains it is pleasantly cooler (especially at night).
Most of the rain falls in the coastal areas from November to March, but the humidity is very high all year round.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Kina (PGK)
Classification: 1 Kina = 100 Toea
ATMs: Available in Port Moresby.
International credit cards: These are accepted in a few larger hotels and shops.
Regulations: There is no limit to the amount of foreign currencies that can be imported. The export is limited to the amount of the declared import.
The national currency may be imported without any restrictions, but only exported with a separate certificate from the government.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 200 cigarettes or 250 g of other tobacco products
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
Food that is not canned may not be imported.
Travel advice
Medical care is poor and cannot be compared with that in Europe. You should therefore have a well-stocked first-aid kit with you.
Behavioral advice
The crime rate is very high. Assaults, thefts and violent armed crimes are very common.
After dark, you shouldn’t be out and about. Even during the day it is advisable not to go out alone.
Economy
Since the infrastructure is barely developed, big industry has no chance.
Most of the residents are employed in smaller businesses and family farms.
Industries: mining, wood processing, engineering, tourism
Natural resources: natural gas, oil, fish, gold, wood, copper, silver
Land use:
- Usable land: 0%
- Grain cultivation: 1%
- Pasture area: 0%
- Forests: 93%
- other: 6%
Plants
Most of the country is always green overgrown by tropical rainforests.
Many types of flowers, grasses and bushes grow between the trees and make many areas difficult for people to use.
Animals
You can find exotic animals everywhere. From small, colorful butterflies to giant birds, everything is represented.
Many of these species are threatened with extinction.