Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands (the western portion of the island is occupied by the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua). It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, in a region defined since the early 19th century as Melanesia.  

Papua New Guineans, most of whom are Melanesians, vary widely in their physical, ethnic and cultural characteristics. Papua New Guinea is, in fact, the most heterogeneous country in the world.

The centuries old heritage of Melanesian society maintains a strong influence over most of the population. Long before the concept of democracy was established in Europe, Papua New Guinea communities were reaching decisions by consensus and not by the dictates of the most powerful member of the village. This concept of democratic consensus in decision-making is evident in most aspects of today's society.

The Papua New Guinean attitude to the land is also very different from many other countries. Land is not a commodity that can be bought and sold by individuals - it is a permanent and integral part of a village community. Land is owned and maintained by generations of clans. Although they cannot sell the land, individuals can hand over their own usage rights.

PNG Facts:

Governor General:Sir Paulias Matane (Jul 2004)

Prime Minister:Sir Michael Somare (July 2002)

Area: 178,704 sq mi. (461,690 sq km)

Population (1999 est.): 4,705,126 (average annual rate of natural increase: 2.26%); birth rate: 32/1000; infant mortality rate: 55.6/1000; density per sq mi.: 26

Capital and largest city (1994 est.):Port Moresby, 250,000

Monetary unit:Kina

Languages:English, Tok Pisin (a Melanesian Creole English), Hiri Motu, and 717 distinct native languages

Ethnicity/Race:Papuan, Melanesian, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian

Religions:Indigenous beliefs (Animism), Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, Assembly of God, Baptist & Evangelical

Literacy rate: 50%

Economic summary:

GDP/PPP (1996 est.):$10.7 billion; $2,400 per capita.

Real growth rate: 2.3%.

Inflation: 6%.

Unemployment: n.a.

Labor force: 1.941 million; agriculture, 64% (1993 est.).

Agriculture: coffee, copra, palm oil, cocoa, tea, coconuts, vanilla.

Industry: coconut oil, plywood, wood chips, gold, silver.

Natural resources: copper, gold, silver, timber, natural gas.

Exports: $2.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.): gold, copper, coffee, palm oil, copra, timber, vanilla, lobster.

Imports: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.): food, machinery, transport equipment, fuels, chemicals, consumer goods.

Major trading partners: Australia, U.K., Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, U.S., South Korea, Germany.

Member of Commonwealth of Nations

(Source: www.postcourier.com.pg/20070919/wehome.htm)