Papua New Guinea

Overview

Papua New Guinea covers the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, with the western half belonging to Indonesia, and the country's territory also includes numerous smaller island groups, including the Bismarck Archipelago and Bougainville. The country is the most linguistically diverse in the world, with more than 800 distinct languages recorded within its borders, representing the highest linguistic density relative to population size on Earth, a diversity explained by the geographic isolation of the interior highlands, which for centuries hindered contact between different communities. Britain and Germany shared in colonizing the territory in the late 19th century, and Australia later took over administration; the country gained independence in 1975. The official languages are English, Tok Pisin (a local Creole language), and Hiri Motu.

Port Moresby, the capital, often considered less touristic due to a high crime rate, nonetheless serves as the starting point for most domestic travel and is home to the National Museum, showcasing the country's remarkably rich tribal artistic heritage. The Kokoda Track, a roughly 96-kilometer hiking route through mountainous rainforest commemorating a WWII battle fought between Australian and Japanese forces in 1942, is now a popular multi-day trek, drawing mainly Australian visitors. The Sepik River region, with traditional villages and carved wooden spirit houses (haus tambaran), is one of the most significant centers of Papua New Guinean tribal art and ceremonial life. The Trobriand Islands, where the local kula trading system and traditional yam cult remain living practices today, are among the most studied sites in the region's anthropological research.

Papua New Guinea's rainforests are among the most biodiverse regions in the world, home to numerous endemic species, including the bird-of-paradise, whose elaborate plumage forms an important part of local tribal dress and ceremonial festivals (sing-sing). Mount Wilhelm, the country's highest peak at about 4,509 meters, offers a challenge for mountaineers, while at its base the traditional way of life of highland tribal cultures can also be experienced. Coastal waters, particularly around Milne Bay and Kimbe Bay, form part of the "Coral Triangle" and offer excellent diving opportunities, with numerous WWII shipwrecks and aircraft wrecks found in the area. Local cuisine is built around taro, sweet potato, and sago, with mumu, meat and vegetables cooked in an underground oven, as a signature dish, traditionally prepared for communal festive occasions.