Papua New Guinea Travel Guide

Papua New Guinea — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: South Pacific.
Language: The official language is English, which is widely used in business and government circles. Pidgin English and Hiri Motu are more commonly used (an estimated 742 other languages and dialects are also spoken).
Area: 462,840 sq km (178,704 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 10.
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. Australian-style three-pin plugs are in use. Some hotels provide 110-volt outlets in guest-rooms.
Population: 6.7 million (2009).
Population Density: 14.4 per sq km.
Capital City: Port Moresby. Population: 275,000.
Government: Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from Australia in 1975.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare since 2002.
Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor General Paulias Matane since 2004.
Religion: 90% Christian.

Recent History

In May 2005, the islanders of Bougainville elected their first autonomous government, with former separatist rebel Joseph Kabui as president. Papua New Guinea as a whole saw current prime minister, Somare, re-elected for his second successive term in 2007. His National Alliance party won 27 of 109 parliamentary seats and a coalition government was formed.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +675. There are no area codes in Papua New Guinea.

Mobile Telephone

Coverage is limited.

Internet

Services tend to be slow and sometimes unreliable.

Media

Two daily newspapers are published in English: The National and Papua New Guinea Post-Courier. The most popular daily is Niugini Nius. For those wanting to watch TV, Commercial channel EMTV is the only broadcaster and hotels sometimes provide satellite channels.

Post

Airmail to Europe takes seven to 10 days.Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0900-1200.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
13 Jun Queen’s Birthday
23 Jul National Remembrance Day
16 Sep Independence Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
11 Jun Queen’s Birthday
23 Jul National Remembrance Day
16 Sep Independence Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day
If the date falls on the weekend the public holiday will be observed on the next working day. In addition, there are various regional festivals throughout the year.

Contact Information

Tourism Promotion Authority

Street address: Pacific MMI Building, Level 5, Champion Parade, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Postal address: PO Box 1291, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Tel: 320 0211.
Website: www.pngtourism.org.pg

South Pacific Travel (South Pacific Tourism Organization) in Fiji

Street address: Level 3, FNPF Place, 343-359 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
Postal address: PO Box 13119, Suva, Fiji
Tel: (679) 330 4177.
Website: www.south-pacific.travel