Papua New Guinea
 
Europeans first arrived in Papua New Guinea in the 16th century, and it was subsequently settled in the 19th century by both the Germans and British. Long governed by Australia in modern times, it finally gained its full independence in 1975.
Papua New Guinea includes the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, the islands of the Bismarck Archipelago, and the island of Bougainville, itself still (politically) part of the Solomon Islands.
The central core of the main island is mountainous with deep, green valleys dotted with mysterious and remote villages. There are still no significant cross-country roads from the capital city, and most vital transportation depends on small aircraft and the over 400 isolated airports.
Much of the inland population lives in primitive conditions and there are over 700 different languages spoken among the various native tribes.
 
Location:    9º 48S, 147º 18E
Population:  5,670,544 (2006 estimate)
Area:  452,860 sq km
 (174,849 sq miles)
Climate:  Tropical. NW monsoon,
 Dec.-Mar.; SE monsoon, May-Oct
Terrain:  Mostly mountains with
coastal lowlands and rolling foothills.
Elevation:  SeaLevel
Highest Point Mt. Wilheim,
 14,794 ft. (4,509 m)