Quick Facts
Location
Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Area – comparative
slightly larger than California
Climate
tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain
mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Ethnic groups
Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Population
6,310,129 (July 2012 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 27%, Protestant 69.4% (Evangelical Lutheran 19.5%, United Church 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, Pentecostal 8.6%, Evangelical Alliance 5.2%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.5%, other Protestant 8.9%), Baha’i 0.3%, indigenous beliefs and other 3.3% (2000 census)
For More information visit: CIA.gov
The Flag
The Papua New Guinea National flag, formally adopted in 1971, is rectangular in proportion of four to three. It is divided diagonally from the top to the hoist to the bottom of the fly. On the upper part appears a yellow ” Kumul “, Bird of Paradise on the red background. On the yellow part are five stars representing the Southern Cross, on the black background. Black, red and yellow are traditional colors in Papua New Guinea.
The Bird of Paradise plays an important role in the social and cultural activities of many groups in the country and its plumes are often used as ceremonial decoration. On the flag it is shown soaring above the Southern Cross, with display plumes trailing, symbolizing Papua New Guinea’s emergence into nationhood.
The Southern Cross is the constellation notable in the night skies of Papua New Guinea and other countries of the Southern Hemisphere. It appears on the flag to signify the country’s historical relationship
with other nations of the South Pacific.
Coat of Arms
For more information
The National (local newpaper)
Post Courier (local newspaper)
CIA.gov (more information about the country of PNG)
Gary & Verda Keck
