QUICK FACTS

LOCATION

The largest island in the Pacific located north of Australia and sharing its main island with Indonesia to the west. Capital City PORT MORESBY is at 9.24 S of the equator and 147.08E. It also shares its borders with neighbouring countries Solomon Islands, Australia and Vanuatu. Micronesia to the north and Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philipines to the north west.


GEOGRAPHY

More than 600 islandswith immense variety of landscapes; highlands, plateaux, valleys, volcanoes, geothermal springs, savannah, rainforest, mangrove swamps, gardens, plantations, island archipelagos, coral atolls and luxuriant lowlands interlaced with river systems provide a spectrum hardly matched anywhere else in the world.

CLIMATE

Generally wet and humid all year round, Papua New Guinea has little seasonal temperature variations with coastal temperatures around 25 - 30 degrees Celsius and the highlands are considerably cooler. Dry months are from May to November.

Dress

Casual clothing is the norm, preferably cotton and a sweater for cooler evenings in the Highlands. Comfortable walking shoes are a must..

RELIGION

Most Papua New Guineans are Christians and practice their local beliefs, customs and traditions in harmony with Christian beliefs..

POPULATIONS

6.1 million people, according to a recent UNFPA study dated June 2007. Papua New Guineas are Melanesians who vary widely in their physical charateristics, ethnic backgrounds and cultural types making it the most heterogeneous country in the world.

CULTURE

Culturally diverse with more than 200 traditional cultures kept alive in elaborate rituals, dances in traditional bilas (traditional costumes) performed at annual Sing sings (cultural shows/festivals). Check for a cultrual events calendar with the national tourism office PNG Tourism Promotion Authority on phone (675) 320 0211, fax (675) 320 0223 or email info@pngtourism.org.pg or check their website www.pngtourism.org.pg

Language

Three (3) languages are widely spoken - English, Tok Pisin and Motu. Due to cultural diversity (over 800 languages) English is the language of Government, Commerce and Law and is a compulsory subject in Education - so getting around should be easy. In fact most Papua New Guineans Speak Tok Pisin (New Guinea Pidgin or Neo-Melanesia) and Motu but English is the official language. Learning a word or two in Tok Pisin may be useful when in more remote parts of the country.

HERE ARE A FEW BASIC PHRASES:

Good Morning - "Monin"
Good Afternoon - "Avinun"
What is your name? - "Wanem nem bilong yu ?"
My name is... - "Nem bilong mi..."
Thank you very much - "Tenkiu tru"
No thank you - "Sori, nogat"
How are you? - "Yu orait?"
I'm fine - "Mi orait"

CURRENCY & BANKS

The unit of currency is Kina (PGK) which is divided into 100 Toea (t) (pronounced "toy-ah")
Most hotels, restaurants, larger shopping centres and travel agencies accept credit cards and traveller cheques.
Banks are in all major centres of the country and are open from 9am - 3pm Mondays and on Fridays 9am - 4am.

A branch of the Bank South Pacific (BSP) is conveniently located at the International Terminal for ease of exchange of foreign currency on arrival and departure.
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ Bank) - Toll free 180 1444
Westpac - (675) 322 0888 and Bank South Pacific - (675) 321 2444 are the 3 major banks. Confirm with your local banker if you are able to use ATMs in Papua New Guinea.

CURRENCY NOTES - K100 (green), K50 (orange), K20 (red), K5 (pink) and K2 (pale green)
COINAGE - Silver coins K1, 0.50t, 0.20t, 0.10t, 0.05t while 0.02t and 0.01t is made of copper.

Tipping

Tipping is neither expected nor encouraged..

Trading Hours

Standard commercial trading hours are 8am to 5pm from Monday to Friday. Some retailers are open on Saturdays from 8am to 12noon..

Restaurants

Most hotels, restaurants, guesthouses and lodges provide western and local cusines. There are several Asian restaurants in the capital city Port Moresby.

Shopping

Most artefacts and handicrafts are sold in gift shops and at craft markets. The International Terminal offers duty free shopping.
There are larger shops that sell a variety of goods.
All goods and services paid in Papua New Guinea will include a 10% Goods & SErvices Tax (GST).

Communication

Email & internet provided by major hotels (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Airways) can be accessed wireless, through internet cafes and local internet service providers. ISD, IDD, STD, telex and facsimile services are provided by most hotels or at the nearest post offices.
Calling cards and coin phones are located at post offices and selected shops in the city area - calling crds can be bought at most shops and at the post offices. Mobile phones are provided by the several mobile phone companies where you can also rent a phone.
Roaming services are now available in the country for the Australian mobile phone users only.

OPERATOR ASSISTANCE
Port Directory Assistance - 031
Reverse/Collect Charge Calls - 016
National Trunk Calls - 011

Electricity

The electricity outlets are 240 volts AC 50Hz, some hotel rooms have 110 volts outlets and may provide universal adaptors.

Health Requirements

The water quality complies with WHO standards; however, it is advisable for visitors to drink bottled or boiled water in towns and rural areas. Although Port Moresby is relatively malaria free, Papua New GUinea is classified as malaria - prone zone especially the coastal wetland regions, therefore it is advisable for visitors to consult their doctors for precautions against malaria. For the most protection aganst insect bites use repellents and wear long sleeved shirts and trousers and shoes in the evenings.
There are several privately and governemtn run hospitals, dental and optical clinics in the major centres. In the remote areas of Papua New Guinea both government and church run medical hospital services.

Local Time

The Local time is GMT + 10 hours.
Papua New Guinea is in the same zone as Eastern Australia and NO daylight saving.

Visas

Tourist visas are available upon arrival to citizens of the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Most European Union countries provided onward air tickets are carried by the bona-fide tourists.
Duration of stay in Papua New Guinea is a maximum of 60 days. When in doubt please contact the nearest Papua New Guinea High Commission or consulate.

Safety and Security

There are times when law and order is a concern in all developing countries. Much of what has been read and heard is over exaggerations of what you will find and apply in the main urban areas. Although you are unlikely to experience any difficulties, common sense should always prevail. Always ask for directions and information if in doubt. It is advisable to use local guides when exploring. Mores guides know the local languages and will know the places you can safely visit.

Getting Around

Apart from the Hiritano Highway that connects the Gulf Province to the Capital City Port Moresby, all other provinces can be accessed by air due to rugged mountainous terrain and thick jungles. The only major highway is the Highlands Highway which connects Lae, Morobe Province and Madang Province to the Highlands Region of Papua New Guinea. Vehicles in Papua New Guinea are right hand drive and we drive on the left hand side of the road.

Papua New Guinea's national carrier Air Niugini, Airlines PNG and other third level airlines daily flights out of Port Moresby's Jackson Airport. Jackson Airport is the gateway to Papua New Guinea located 11 kilometres from the Central Business District, Port Moresby. Car rental services are available in all major centres. Taxis are only available in Port Moresby. Most hotels in Port Moresby Provide courtesy buses. In other centres hotels may charge. Passenger vessels service out of Port Moresby is at least twice a week to certain parts of the country.

[GO TO THE TOP]