Papua- New Guinea - an independent state in Oceania. It occupies the eastern part of the island of New Guinea, the northern part of the Solomon Islands, the Bismarck and Louisiada archipelago, and more than two hundred other small reefs and islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
The etymology of the name of the state is interesting. It comes from the Malay " daddy", Which is translated into Russian as" curly". The island received this name in 1526 from the Portuguese Menezes, who was surprised by the hair of the local population. Twenty years later, Iñigo Ortiz de Retes arrived on the island, who gave the place the name of New Guinea. In his opinion, locals resembled the Guinean aborigines who lived in Africa.
The name of the country changed several times from the beginning of European colonization to the state's independence. Only in 1975, the island was officially called Papua New Guinea.
Capital |
Port Moresby |
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Population |
6 187 591 people |
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461.7 thousand km² |
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Population density |
13 people / km² |
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english, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu |
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Religion |
most of the population is Christian, the rest adhere to local traditional beliefs |
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Form of government |
a constitutional monarchy |
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Timezone |
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International dialing code |
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Domain zone on the Internet |
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Electricity |
The islands of this state are surrounded by thousands of reefs, lagoons, underwater plateaus, on which unique marine life rages. Here you can plunge into the world of sunken ships that disappeared from the face of the earth during the era of the Great geographical discoveries and World War II.
Climate and weather
The country reigns tropical climate with high humidity. As a rule, this area is characterized by stable weather throughout the year. The average daily temperature is about +26 ºС, and the seasons differ from each other only in the amount of precipitation, so here the division is not made into winter and summer, but into the rainy season and the dry season. True, for each place, these seasons come at different times.
Only the coastal areas are really hot. Concerning mountain areas, then the local climate differs significantly from the flat one. The temperature here is much lower, but the precipitation is much higher. At an altitude of more than 2500 m, the average temperature does not exceed +10 ºС. For most of the time, there is a fine drizzling rain in the mountains, from time to time you can get hit by hail.
Nature
The nature of this area is unique. You will not find such a variety of flora and fauna anywhere else.
Most of the surface of all the islands of New Guinea is covered with different sizes mountains... The main part of the territory is raised to a height of 1000 meters above sea level. At the same time, there are also such mountains that reach a height of 4.5 km, which refers them to the belts of eternal snow. There are 18 active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea.
Vegetable and animal world these places. More than 20,000 different types plants can be found in this area. Wide band mangrove plants (at times up to 35 kilometers) goes along the shores of New Guinea. This area is very swampy, therefore it is impassable. You can only cross it by swimming along the rivers, along which there are wild thickets of sugar cane and groves of sago palms.
Hundreds of tree species grow in dense tropical rainforests, and recent times vegetable gardens and whole plantations began to appear more and more often. It is customary to grow sugar cane, coconut trees, bananas and tubers such as sweet potatoes, yams, taro, cassava and others. Gardens are to be cultivated only for two or three years. After that, the area is overgrown with forest again for the next 10-12 years. This is how the locals maintain soil fertility.
Where forests rise to a height of 1000-2000 meters, the vegetation becomes more and more uniform. Mostly conifers are found here, in particular - araucaria, which are of great economic importance, since valuable building material is obtained from their wood.
The highlands are dominated by meadows and shrubs... And in the mountain hollows, where the climate is drier, herbaceous vegetation is more common.
The fauna is also diverse here. There are especially many reptiles, insects and, of course, birds in these places. As in neighboring Australia, mammals are represented more by marsupial breeds of animals - wallaby, bandicoot, couscous. Turtles and crocodiles can be found on the river banks. Bird world present such unique exhibits as birds of paradise, cassowaries, crowned pigeons, weed chickens and parrots. And with the Europeans, pigs, domestic chickens and dogs came to this world.
sights
Papua New Guinea has many natural attractions. One of the main ones is a two-vertex panel board giluwe volcanowhich is located in the Southern Highlands. The volcano is the second highest peak in the country, reaching an elevation of 4368 meters and is the highest in the entire territory of Oceania and Australia. Alpine bows are located all over its surface.
In addition to a large number of historical and natural attractions, there is also a huge archaeological monument - the agricultural settlement of Cook, better known in the world as cook swamps... It is located in the Western Highlands, at an altitude of more than one and a half kilometers above sea level. The area of \u200b\u200bthis historical monument is equal to 116 hectares. Since 1960, archaeological excavations and research have been carried out here.
Another famous natural landmark is the river natural bayer reserve other nature reserves, parks, gardens, each of which is unique and unique. The Bayer Reserve itself is located 55 km from Mount Hagen, in the Bayer River basin. This is where it is best to get acquainted with the animal and flora these places.
A popular place is Lake Qutbu, in the waters of which several species of rare fish live. It is located 800 meters above sea level in the South Highlands and covers an area of \u200b\u200b49 km² (larger than only Lake Murray). The reservoir is surrounded by wetlands and swampy forests, which are protected by the state.
Varirata National Park, which is the first national park in the country, is located 42 km from the capital and covers more than a thousand hectares. Once this territory was a hunting ground for the tribes living here. The object of cult purpose - the "tree-house" of the Koiaris tribe, is dedicated to these times.
National botanical park in the capital is ranked among the main tourist attractions in the country. This place is regularly visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world, as well as locals from different regions. The park is known for its gigantic collection of orchids, hanging paths and a "plant map" of the country.
The next must-see must be “ Gardens of Eden"In the Foya mountains - a unique tropical forest, untouched by civilization, isolated from the outside world, where there is not a single path or path.
The best place to experience local architecture, history, culture and nature can only be National Museum ... All the diverse and rich heritage of the state is collected in this truly spiritual center. The museum is designed as a complex consisting of many premises located in different parts capital Cities.
Food
National food is quite different from the European type we are used to. Local kitchen represented by dishes from meat and fish with the addition of various vegetables (usually stewed) and fruits (papaya, mango, pineapple, banana, passion fruit).
The traditional cuisine of this country is based on caucau, taro, sago, yam and pig. A popular local dish is “ mu Mu»- a mixture of sweet potatoes, pork, herbs, rice, spices.
However, thanks to the very well-developed tourism and the flow of foreign (in particular European) guests, Chinese, European, Indonesian restaurants and cafes are increasingly opening here. Filipino and Australian beer is widespread as alcoholic drinks in Papua New Guinea.
Residence
Papua New Guinea offers many opportunities to sleep comfortably. Moreover, everyone will find an acceptable price category. Those who are not allowed to live in luxury by finances can stay with local residents at any time for almost free, spending only symbolically on breakfast.
Those who want more comfortable conditions are offered a hotel Kimbe bay... It is surrounded by tropical gardens, and close to the building there are coral reefs, ideal for diving. The hotel will delight its guests with air conditioning, free internet and cozy rooms. There are also 2 bars and 2 restaurants nearby.
There is another decent hotel in the port of Kimbe, Kimbe Bay West New Britainwith windows facing the coast. It stands directly on the New Britain Island motorway. Every morning in the hotel restaurant you can enjoy a buffet. The rest of the time, you can try national exotic dishes from any country in the world. The hotel has a currency exchange office and secure parking.
Entertainment and recreation
In Papua New Guinea, you can find a huge amount of different entertainment.
One of the most colorful and original local fun is the large-scale folk dance festival “ Sing Sing". In September it is held in the town of Goroka at the foot of the mountain in memory of the country's Independence Day. More than 90 Papuan tribes from all the islands of the state come here annually (and there are about 600 of them!). Thousands of natives in war paint, in national clothes and ornaments unite for a joint performance of the traditional sing-sing dance, singing, beating drums, performing ritual ceremonies and simply communicating. Due to the fact that the festival is a multinational lively and fun musical performance, a huge number of tourists and ethnographers from all over the world flock here. Here guests of the country can buy unique souvenirs of the festival, which will remind of the holiday for many years.
Fans of club life will definitely enjoy the nightclub Lamana gold club... Situated in the heart of the Lamana Hotel in the capital, it bears the title of the largest and best nightclub in all of Papua New Guinea. Fireworks are launched here and they dance to the open air on two dance floors. It offers tourists five bars, karaoke, game rooms and live music.
Purchases
Papua New Guinea has a huge number of shops where you can buy unique goods local production... Remember that it is not customary to bargain in the markets and shops here.
All shops are usually open five days a week and are open from 9 am to 5 pm. Saturday is a working day, only not until the evening, but until one in the afternoon. Some shops are also open on Sundays.
In a large number of large shopping centers and restaurants, you can present international credit cards... But with the search for ATMs, problems may arise. They are only available in the capital, but you can use them only if you have an account with local banks. Using credit cards in the provinces will be nearly impossible.
Most major cities can be exchanged for cash traveler's checks. But not all branches can work with traveller's checks, so it is worth getting ready for long queues.
In many remote areas, countries will only accept local currency for payment. At the same time, you can practically not hope to get change, because there is an obvious shortage of small bills.
Transport
Between New Guinea and the rest of the islands coastal shipping... Main airport is located in the capital - Port Moresby.
In this country, it is customary to take car rentalto be able to independently explore all the beauty of the area. True, you will be given a car only if you have a driver's license, driving experience and a credit card.
And here is the system taxi it is not developed here, because there are practically no central roads in the country.
After you arrive at the local airport, we recommend that you immediately purchase a telephone SIM card from the local telecom operator. If you need to call abroad, then you can do this at any call center or through an operator from the hotel in which you are staying.
Be sure to write down the emergency numbers you may need - the police can be reached at 000, the fire department at 110, and an ambulance can be called at 3256822.
Safety
Fraud is the main problem in Papua New Guinea. There are frequent cases of car theft and petty street crime. And the local police often try to make money on the same tourists. The crime rate is especially high in large cities, for example, in the capital Port Moresby. There you can observe such a gangster phenomenon as “ raskolism"- a special system of youth gangs that are engaged in murder, kidnapping, violence, extortion, robbery and theft.
We recommend getting vaccinated against malaria, cholera and typhoid before the trip. True, this does not apply to those tourists who will eat exclusively in hotels and restaurants. All travelers over one year old are also advised to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, Japanese encephalitis, and poliomyelitis. IN last years there were many more AIDS patients in the country.
Be careful with cuts and other damage to the skin, because even the most harmless scratch or skin irritation in the realities of this climate can bring you a lot of problems.
Business climate
Papua New Guinea has a huge amount of useful resources, however, in the conditions of this area, their extraction is quite difficult. Nevertheless, two-thirds of foreign exchange income is brought to the country by the development of deposits of gold, copper ore and oil.
The main local industry is mining and processing of silver, gold, oil, copra, copper ore processing, wood processing, palm oil production and construction.
Agriculture also brings considerable profits to the state. Cocoa, coffee, coconuts, copra, sugar cane, tea, sweet potatoes, rubber, vegetables, fruits, vanilla are grown here. Shrimp, crabs and other seafood are also exported. The main buyers of all these natural resources are Japan, Australia and China.
- Upon arrival in the country, you can exchange currency for local banknotes almost everywhere. This can be done not only in bank branches, but also in hotels, airports, large shopping centers... There are also private exchange offices that deal with exchange.
- Tipping is not customary in Papua New Guinea. The amount shown on the invoice is, as a rule, final.
- You should be aware that any non-bottled water here is unusable.
- Several species of shark swim around the island, as well as many different poisonous sea creatures.
- It is prohibited to import antiques, weapons, wild animals and birds, seeds and plants, pornographic items and drugs into the country. But it is forbidden to export antiques and everything that was found on the seabed from the country.
Visa information
Russian citizens must open a visa before traveling to Papua New Guinea. Embassies of this country in Russian Federation no, so you will have to apply for a tourist visa to the consulate in Brussels, the consular department in London or the Australian embassy in Moscow. Depending on the option you choose to open a visa, the procedure for paying the consular fee, the procedure for submitting documents and the time frame for obtaining a visa will change.
To date, the consular fee is $ 35.
The address of the Australian Embassy in Moscow: Podkolokolny lane, 10A / 2.
Phone: (+7 495) 956 6070.
The consulate in St. Petersburg is located at 14 Petrovsky Prospekt, room. 22-N.
Phone: (+7 812) 334 3327.
Basic moments
The population is 8 084 999 people (2016), mainly Papuans (84%) and Melanesians. About 43 thousand people from Europe and Australia live in Papua New Guinea. Urban population is 15.2% (1991). The official language is English, and the languages \u200b\u200bof Pidgin and Motu are also spoken. But in total, more than seven hundred Papuan and Melanesian languages \u200b\u200band dialects are spoken in the country. 90 percent of the population is Christian, of which 63% are Protestants, the remaining 10% adhere to traditional tribal beliefs. The country is divided into 19 provinces and the Port Morbsey metropolitan area. The capital of the state - the city of Port Morbsey is home to 150 thousand people. The largest cities are Lae, Madang. The monetary unit of Papua New Guinea, the kina, is subdivided by 100 toi.
Tourists begin their vacation in Papua New Guinea in the capital of Port Moresby. This city offers a varied sightseeing vacation and it is foolish not to take advantage of such an offer. The hotels of Papua New Guinea, although they are not yet characterized by a high level of service, already now offer everything you need, which is confirmed by the few reviews of tourists who are not afraid to choose a vacation in this distant country.
The islands of this state are surrounded by thousands of reefs, lagoons, underwater plateaus, on which unique marine life rages. You can also plunge into the world of sunken ships that disappeared from the face of the earth during the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries and World War II.
Nature
The main part of the territory of Papua New Guinea is occupied by mountains. High ridges prevail, stretching from southeast to northwest (Bismarck, Central and Owen Stanley, the latter is also traced on the coastal islands). Many mountain peaks and some isolated volcanoes rise more than 3000 m above sea level. The most high point - Mount Wilhelm (4509 m). Among the massive, highly dissected mountains, there are wide intermontane basins (about 1500 m above sea level).
To the north of the belt of ridges, parallel to it, a wide lowland stretches, to which the valleys of the Sepik, Ramu and Markham rivers are confined. Significant areas are occupied by swamps, but also tracts of fertile agricultural lands are interspersed. Mountain ranges stretch along the northeastern coast of New Guinea (and continue on the Huon Peninsula to Lae and further on the islands of New Britain, New Ireland and Bougainville), leaving only a narrow strip of coastal lowland. This is an area of \u200b\u200bseismic activity, where destructive volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur, probably due to the confinement to the northern edge of one of the large blocks of the earth's crust. Most of the 40 active volcanoes of Papua New Guinea are confined to the northern coastal zone... Some of them were active in the 20th century; especially severe damage was caused in 1951 by the eruption of the volcano Lamington near the city of Popondetta.
To the south of the Central Ridge, there are wide plains and coastal lowlands, crossed by several large rivers that originate in the mountains. In the southwest flows the Fly River, approx. 1120 km. For 250 km upstream from the mouth, it is influenced by the ebb and flow. Further to the east, the lower reaches of several rivers form an extensive common delta with branches, islands and swamps. The Purari River has large hydropower resources.
Some of the coastal islands are mountainous, volcanic in origin, but especially numerous are the low islands - coral reefs (forming, for example, the Trobriand archipelago). Atolls and islets with fringing reefs are a characteristic feature of those washing the country warm seas... Active volcanoes are known in New Britain and Bougainville. In 1994, as a result of the eruptions of the volcanoes Tavurvur and Volcano, the city of Rabaul in New Britain was severely destroyed (a similar disaster occurred in 1937). However, the soils developed on the volcanic deposits of both islands are highly fertile.
Papua New Guinea has two main seasons. Warm northerly and westerly winds prevail when the zone of intertropical convergence moves south, capturing the country's territory in January-February; in some northern regions, winds of different points cause heavy rains in January-April. The weather is relatively cool from May to August, and strong, steady southeasterly winds that bring precipitation blow from the zone of intertropical convergence, which is located in June-July to the north of the equator. Rain falls in southern New Britain, in Papua Bay, on the southern slopes of the Central Ridge and in the east of Huon Peninsula. During this time of year, the rest of New Guinea, including the coastal lowlands near Port Moresby, the southwest coast and the central mountains, experiences dry weather, alternating between September and December.
This fundamental climate model is significantly modified depending on the relief. Many high ridges, acting as barriers to air masses, intercept precipitation that moisten the windward slopes, and much less precipitation falls on the leeward slopes. In mountainous regions, microclimatic differences are evident in each valley.
Average annual precipitation is large, but there are significant regional differences: in Port Moresby 1200 mm, in Kikori on the coast of the Gulf of Papua 5000 mm, and south coast New Britain 6100 mm. In the long-term course of precipitation, there are also sharp amplitudes. About once every 40 years, there are droughts, accompanied by frosts in the mountains. For example, in 1997–1998, most of Papua New Guinea experienced its worst drought in 100 years, while severe frosts were observed in the Enga, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands and Central (adjacent to Port Moresby) provinces. These events were associated with the climatic effects of the El Niño event.
The lowlands are dominated by constantly high temperatures with slight seasonal and daily fluctuations. In Port Moresby, the average maximum value is 31 ° С and the average minimum is 23 ° С, while in Mount Hagen, located at an altitude of 1670 m, the corresponding values \u200b\u200bare 25 ° and 13 ° С.In the mountains, it is colder, the daily temperature amplitudes are more pronounced ...
Basically, the soils are marginal and have a low agricultural potential, which is predetermined by the properties of the parent rocks (in particular, weathered coral strata). Soil depletion is also facilitated by intense leaching in lowlands in hot, humid climates, unfavorable runoff conditions in swampy areas, and accelerated erosion on steep slopes. Only approx. 25% of the entire territory of the country is suitable for agriculture in terms of soil and geomorphological conditions. The most fertile soils are developed on volcanic deposits in the provinces of the Western Highlands and Southern Highlands, in the north of New Britain and Bougainville Island. The soils on well-drained young alluvial deposits in many areas are also characterized by high productivity. mountain valleysand also the soils of the foothill plains.
Most of Papua New Guinea has preserved natural vegetation, mainly rainforests. Where they were brought down and then abandoned, in some cases graslands (herbaceous communities) arose, in others - light forests. There are also mangroves, coastal forests, evergreen rainforests, and where the dry season is expressed, semi-deciduous tropical forests (usually with a deciduous upper layer). There are also groves of sago palms in wetlands, reed thickets, grassy swamps, low and mountain meadows, alpine shrubs, coniferous forests, mixed low mountain forests with beech, oak and other species.
The country has the richest avifauna in the world (860 species), the safety of which, however, was adversely affected by the armed conflicts that occurred after the declaration of independence. The most famous of the birds are the birds of paradise (38 species out of 42 known to science), which live only in Papua New Guinea, Australia and the neighboring islands. One of these birds is featured on the country's flag. There are such unusual species as the cassowary (a flightless bird related to the African ostrich and Australian emu), the hornbill, the Victoria royal pigeon, the white-breasted and golden-fronted motley pigeons, etc.
About 300 species of reptiles have been recorded. Snakes alone, most of them venomous, number 110 species. The largest of them are pythons and boas (12 species in total), reaching a length of more than 7 m, and the most poisonous is the four-meter taipan ( rare view). Viviparous snakes are extremely aggressive. There are two known crocodile species, including the world's largest saltwater crocodile. The average length of its body is 7 m, but there are also 10-meter individuals. Freshwater crocodiles are much smaller in size (mostly about 2 m).
Mammals identified approx. 230 types. Many large representatives of this class of animals are absent, for example, monkeys and big cats (found in South-East Asia). Small kangaroos (wallabies), possums, echidnas, marsupials, rats, bats are common. Attention is drawn to couscous - an animal that looks like a sloth.
The world of insects is very diverse (30 thousand species). Among them is the world's largest butterfly (Ornithoptera alexandrae) with a wingspan of 35 cm.
sights
Papua New Guinea has many natural attractions. One of the main ones is the two-peaked shield volcano Giluwe, which is located in the Suttern Highlands. The volcano is the second highest peak in the country, reaching an elevation of 4368 meters and is the highest in the entire territory of Oceania and Australia. Alpine bows are located across its entire surface.
In addition to a large number of historical and natural attractions, there is also a huge archaeological site - the agricultural settlement of Cook, better known in the world as the Cook Marshes. It is located in the Western Highlands, at an altitude of more than one and a half kilometers above sea level. The area of \u200b\u200bthis historical monument is 116 hectares. Since 1960, archaeological excavations and research have been carried out here.
Another famous natural landmark is the Bayer River Nature Reserve and other nature reserves, parks, gardens, each of which is unique and unique. The Bayer Reserve itself is located 55 km from Mount Hagen, in the Bayer Basin. It is here that it is best to get acquainted with the flora and fauna of these places.
A popular place is Lake Qutbu, in the waters of which several species of rare fish live. It is located 800 meters above sea level in the South Highlands and covers an area of \u200b\u200b49 km² (larger than only Lake Murray). The reservoir is surrounded by wetlands and swampy forests, which are protected by the state.
Varirata National Park, which is the country's first national park, is located 42 km from the capital and covers more than a thousand hectares. Once this territory was a hunting ground for the tribes living here. The object of cult purpose - the "tree-house" of the Koiaris tribe, is dedicated to these times.
The National Botanical Park in the capital is ranked among the main tourist attractions in the country. This place is regularly visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world, as well as locals from different regions. The park is famous for its gigantic collection of orchids, hanging paths and a "plant map" of the country.
The next must-see must be the Gardens of Eden in the Foya Mountains - a unique rainforest untouched by civilization, isolated from the outside world, where there is not a single path or path.
The best place to experience local architecture, history, culture and nature can only be the National Museum. All the diverse and rich heritage of the state is collected in this truly spiritual center. The museum is designed in the form of a complex consisting of many rooms located in different parts of the capital.
Kitchen
National cuisine is quite different from the European type we are used to. Local cuisine is represented by dishes of meat and fish with the addition of various vegetables (usually stewed) and fruits (papaya, mango, pineapple, banana, passion fruit).
The traditional cuisine of this country is based on caucau, taro, sago, yam and pig. A popular local dish is mumu, a mixture of sweet potatoes, pork, herbs, rice and spices.
However, thanks to the very well-developed tourism and the flow of foreign (in particular European) guests, Chinese, European, Indonesian restaurants and cafes are increasingly opening here. Filipino and Australian beer is widespread as alcoholic drinks in Papua New Guinea.
Residence
Papua New Guinea offers many opportunities to sleep comfortably. Moreover, everyone will find an acceptable price category. Those who are not allowed to live in luxury by finances can at any time stay with local residents for almost free, spending only symbolically on breakfast.
Those who want a more comfortable environment are offered the Kimbe Bay Hotel. It is surrounded by tropical gardens, and there are coral reefs near the building, ideal for diving. The hotel will delight its guests with air conditioning, free internet and cozy rooms. There are also 2 bars and 2 restaurants nearby.
There is another decent hotel in the port of Kimbe, Kimbe Bay West New Britain, which overlooks the coast. It stands directly on the New Britain Island motorway. Every morning in the hotel restaurant you can enjoy a buffet. The rest of the time here you can try national exotic dishes from any country in the world. The hotel has a currency exchange office and secure parking.
Entertainment and recreation
In Papua New Guinea, you can find a huge amount of different entertainment.
One of the most colorful and distinctive local fun is the large-scale folk dance festival "Sing Sing". In September it is held in the town of Goroka at the foot of the mountain in memory of the country's Independence Day. More than 90 Papuan tribes from all the islands of the state come here annually (and there are about 600 of them!). Thousands of natives in war paint, in national clothes and ornaments unite for a joint performance of the traditional sing-sing dance, singing, beating drums, performing ritual ceremonies and simply communicating. Due to the fact that the festival is a multinational lively and fun musical performance, a huge number of tourists and ethnographers from all over the world flock here. Here guests of the country can buy unique souvenirs of the festival, which will remind of the holiday for many years.
Fans of club life will definitely enjoy the Lamana Gold Club nightclub. Situated in the heart of the Lamana Hotel in the capital, it bears the title of the largest and best nightclub in all of Papua New Guinea. Fireworks are launched here and they dance in the open air on two dance floors. It offers tourists five bars, karaoke, game rooms and live music.
Shopping
Papua New Guinea has a huge number of shops where you can buy unique local products. Remember that it is not customary to bargain in the markets and shops here.
All shops are usually open five days a week and are open from 9 am to 5 pm. Saturday is a working day, only not until the evening, but until one in the afternoon. Some shops are also open on Sundays.
In a large number of major shopping centers and restaurants, you can present international credit cards for payment. But with the search for ATMs, problems may arise. They are only available in the capital, but you can use them only if you have an account with local banks. Using credit cards in the provinces will be nearly impossible.
In most major cities, you can exchange it for cash traveler's checks. But not all departments can work with traveller's checks, so it is worth getting ready for long queues.
In many remote areas, countries will only accept local currency for payment. At the same time, you can practically not hope to get change, because there is an obvious shortage of small bills.
Transport
Coastal shipping is established between New Guinea and the rest of the islands. Main airport is located in the capital - Port Moresby.
In this country, it is customary to rent a car in order to be able to independently explore all the beauties of this area. True, you will be given a car only if you have a driver's license, driving experience and a credit card.
But the taxi system is not developed here, because there are practically no central roads in the country.
Communication
After you arrive at the local airport, we recommend that you immediately purchase a telephone SIM card from the local telecom operator. If you need to call abroad, then you can do this at any call center or through an operator from the hotel in which you are staying.
Be sure to write down the emergency numbers you may need - the police can be reached at 000, the fire department at 110, and an ambulance can be called by phone 3256822.
Safety
Fraud is a major problem in Papua New Guinea. There are frequent cases of car theft and petty street crime. And the local police often try to make money on the same tourists. The crime rate is especially high in large cities, for example, in the capital, Port Moresby. There one can observe such a gangster phenomenon as "Raskolism" - a special system of youth gangs that engage in murder, kidnapping, violence, extortion, robbery and theft.
We recommend getting vaccinated against malaria, cholera and typhoid before the trip. True, this does not apply to those tourists who will eat exclusively in hotels and restaurants. All travelers over one year of age are also advised to be vaccinated against hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, Japanese encephalitis, and poliomyelitis. In recent years, there have been many more AIDS patients in the country.
Be careful with cuts and other damage to the skin, because even the most harmless scratch or skin irritation in the realities of this climate can bring you a lot of problems.
Business
Papua New Guinea has a huge amount of useful resources, however, in the conditions of this area, their extraction is rather difficult. Nevertheless, two-thirds of foreign exchange income is brought to the country by the development of deposits of gold, copper ore and oil.
The main local industry is mining and processing of silver, gold, oil, copra, copper ore processing, wood processing, palm oil production and construction.
Agriculture also brings considerable profits to the state. Here they grow cocoa, coffee, coconuts, copra, sugarcane, tea, sweet potatoes, rubber, vegetables, fruits, vanilla. Shrimp, crabs and other seafood are also exported. The main buyers of all these natural resources are Japan, Australia and China.
- Upon arrival in the country, you will be able to exchange currency for local banknotes almost everywhere. This can be done not only in bank branches, but also in hotels, airports, large shopping centers. There are also private exchange offices that deal with exchange.
- Tipping is not customary in Papua New Guinea. The amount shown on the invoice is, as a rule, final.
- You should be aware that any non-bottled water here is unusable.
- Several species of shark swim around the island, as well as many different poisonous sea creatures.
- It is prohibited to import antiques, weapons, wild animals and birds, seeds and plants, pornographic items and drugs into the country. But it is forbidden to export antiques and everything that was found on the seabed from the country.
Visa information
Russian citizens must open a visa before traveling to Papua New Guinea. There is no embassy of this country in the Russian Federation, so you will have to apply for a tourist visa to the consulate in Brussels, the consular department in London or the Australian embassy in Moscow. Depending on the option you choose to open a visa, the procedure for paying the consular fee, the procedure for submitting documents and the time frame for obtaining a visa will change.
To date, the consular fee is $ 35.
The address of the Australian Embassy in Moscow: Podkolokolny lane, 10A / 2.
Phone: (+7 495) 956 6070.
The consulate in St. Petersburg is located at 14 Petrovsky Prospekt, room. 22-N.
Phone: (+7 812) 334 3327.
Economy
The country's economy is underdeveloped; it is based on agriculture. 72% of the working-age population is employed in agriculture, primarily in crop and pig production. Fertile areas make up only 5% of the country's territory. The main agricultural crops are the coconut tree (over 110 thousand tons of copra are produced per year), coffee, cocoa, tea, rice, rubber plants. Only 8% of agricultural products are processed inside the country. Papua New Guinea is rich in minerals: since 1972, one of the world's largest deposits of copper ore (containing gold and silver) has been developed on Bougainville Island, and it is considered promising to develop oil and coal production in the country. The mining sector of the industry is developing vigorously and provides 75% of the budget revenues from exports. The main export items from Papua New Guinea are copper, gold, oil, coffee, copra, palm oil, tropical woods. Exports are directed mainly to Australia and Japan. The length of highways in the country is 19.7 thousand km (1986). Tourism is developing, in 1993 Papua New Guinea was visited by 45 thousand tourists, more than half of them from Australia and New Zealand. Local rivers are used as rafting routes. Papua New Guinea's economy is heavily dependent on external aid. The main donors of the country are Australia, Japan, New Zealand, international organizations. The Papua New Guinean authorities are working to strengthen and improve relations with Australia and New Zealand. Papua New Guinea has close trade and economic relations with Malaysia. Thanks to trade agreements with Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, a number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, products from Papua New Guinea have free or preferential access to the markets of these countries.
History
Probably the first settlers arrived in the area of \u200b\u200bpresent-day Papua New Guinea by sea from Southeast Asia approx. 30 thousand years ago, when New Guinea, Australia and Tasmania were connected by land bridges and represented a single land mass. These people, speakers of the Papuan languages, were engaged in hunting and gathering, and much later, perhaps, began to domesticate and grow some plants. The second significant wave of population migration took place about 6 thousand years ago. The newcomers who spoke Austronesian languages \u200b\u200bintroduced more perfect economic and cultural traditions. In New Guinea, they began clearing tropical rainforests and draining marshes in intermontane basins in order to cultivate sweet potatoes, taro and other crops brought from Southeast Asia. Narrowly specialized communities of potters, salt-makers, canoe builders, and stonecutters emerged. Residents coastal areas were skilled seafarers and regularly traveled in large canoes to distant islands, offering their products and decorations there.
Portuguese and Spanish merchants traveling to the East Indies knew the shores of New Guinea from the 16th century. They were followed by Dutch, French and English expeditions. The number of foreign ships entering these waters increased with the establishment of the British colony in Australia in the late 18th century. and the development of whaling in Pacific in the 19th century. In 1847, Catholic missionaries settled on Murua Island (Woodlark), located in the Solomon Sea, and traders and travelers established contacts with many coastal tribes. However, for a long time Europeans could not penetrate into the interior of New Guinea with its rugged terrain, dense forests and vast swamps - breeding grounds for malaria. In addition, the locals had a bad reputation as cannibals.
In 1872 the London Missionary Society established a mission on the islands in the Torres Strait and then on the southern coast of New Guinea. The Wesleyan Methodist Mission was established in the Duke of York Islands in 1875, and the Catholic Mission in eastern New Britain in 1882. Other Europeans who penetrated the area were guided by more earthly motives: they began to trade with the aborigines, acquiring copra and trepangs, took up fishing for pearls and shells or rushed to find the legendary gold South Seas... Although Melanesians from the Solomon Islands and New Hebrides were mostly recruited to work on the plantations of Queensland, Fiji and Samoa, recruiters did not ignore the inhabitants of coastal and inland regions of modern Papua New Guinea. Australia showed an increased interest in this territory, and in 1883 Queensland annexed the eastern part of New Guinea, allegedly acting on behalf of Great Britain. However, due to pressure from Australia and taking into account the intentions of Germany to create its own Pacific empire, Great Britain in 1884 captured the southeastern part of New Guinea with the neighboring islands and created a colony there called British New Guinea. Germany annexed to her empire the northeastern part of New Guinea and the islands to the east of it; this colony was named German New Guinea.
The German administration tried to establish trade with its colony, but the implementation of projects for the creation of commercial production was hampered by malaria and difficulties associated with the pacification of local tribes and the hiring of labor, especially in the coastal lowlands. Nevertheless, German companies have launched copra production on plantations in the Bismarck archipelago. Then plantations appeared on Bougainville Island. The German colonial authorities strictly and even harshly treated the Melanesians, but at the same time tried to transfer practical knowledge to them. German Catholic and Protestant missionaries were guided by the idea that their efforts would contribute to the "enlightenment" of the aborigines.
Missionaries intensified their activities in British New Guinea, which was considered an unpromising territory. In 1888 gold was found in the Louisiada archipelago, and hundreds of Australian prospectors rushed into the interior of New Guinea. In the 1920s, rich gold-bearing placers were discovered along the Bulolo River. In 1906 British New Guinea was ceded to Australia and renamed the Territory of Papua. Governor Hubert Murray was in charge of her affairs from 1908 to 1940.
At the start of World War I in 1914, German New Guinea was occupied by Australian forces. At the end of the war, Australia received a mandate from the League of Nations to govern the former German colony, which became the Territory of New Guinea. German plantations and trading companies also became Australian property. The plantation economy in this mandated territory, unlike Papua, developed successfully until the economic crisis of the 1930s.
Over the next 20 years, prospectors, missionaries and government officials flocked to the vast intermontane valleys of New Guinea. The population of coastal regions and islands, who were mainly engaged in subsistence farming, gradually began to introduce commercial crops into circulation. However, the development of commodity-money circulation was more promoted by men who were hired to work on plantations or gold mines for modest wages and food. The religious missions provided the Melanesians with some education and medical assistance. Before World War II, all these changes gradually took place in the plains, but did not affect mountain areas.
In 1942, Japanese troops captured the northern part of New Guinea, part of the Bismarck archipelago and Bougainville Island. They occupied some areas for four years. The rest of what is now Papua New Guinea remained under Australian control. During the war, New Guinea was visited by over a million Australian and American troops. Part of the indigenous population, especially in the Sepik valley and on Bougainville, suffered greatly from military operations and bombing. In some places, for example, on Manus Island, large military bases were located. Inhabitants of mountainous regions were not affected by the war.
After the war, the northeastern part of New Guinea came under the control of Australia as a trust territory of the UN, and in 1949 it was united with Papua. The new administrative unit was named Papua New Guinea. Australia tried to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country and improve the well-being of the Melanesian population. Steps were taken to strengthen centralized governance with the participation of local communities. Particular attention was paid to the overpopulated mountain areas, contacts with which were established relatively recently. In 1953, the first road was built from the coast through the Kassam Pass to the mountains. The administration sought to improve the systems of medical care and education, and religious missions carried out considerable work in this direction.
In 1964, general elections were held and a Legislative Assembly was formed, where the majority of the seats were occupied by Aboriginal people. New government institutions arose and the old ones were transformed. Laws that infringed upon the rights of the Melanesians were abolished. Also in 1964, the University of Papua New Guinea was opened in Port Moresby.
In the 1970s – 1980s, the mining industry became the main lever of the country's economic development. In 1972, the exploitation of copper and gold deposits began on Bougainville, where the plantation economy was replaced by a more modern industry with advanced technologies. Similar trends were evident in several other areas of Papua New Guinea, where new roads, cities and ports were being built.
In 1967, the national political party Pangu Party was founded. After the 1972 elections, she formed a coalition government headed by Michael T. Somare, vigorously seeking independence for the country. This goal was achieved on September 16, 1975.
The political situation in the young state was complicated by the separatist movement on the island of Bougainville. The roots of this movement go back to 1884, when Germany annexed part of the Solomon Islands to its colony of New Guinea, breaking the ethnolinguistic ties of the population of this archipelago. Separatist sentiments were in the air for many years and manifested themselves on the eve of the declaration of independence of Papua New Guinea. Establishment of the Northern Provincial Government Solomon Islands in 1976 defused the situation, but did not solve the problem itself. The situation was aggravated in connection with the construction of a giant complex for the extraction of copper ore at Bougainville. The armed conflict that broke out in 1988 was initially triggered by the dissatisfaction of local landowners with the amount of compensation received from the Bougainville Copper mining company. Other claims followed, and ultimately a demand was made to grant Bougainville independence. As a result of clashes between detachments of the local population with army units and the police of Papua New Guinea, 15-20 thousand people were killed on both sides. Repeated attempts to achieve calm in the area have long been unsuccessful. Only in 1998 did the peace talks begin and there was hope for their successful completion.
Most people are familiar with large states - France, America, Germany. However, there are several countries on the planet such as Guinea. All of them are important economic components of the whole world. The article examines the capitals of each Guinea, describes their potential and population. Attention will also be paid to attractions.
At school, few hours are devoted to studying these countries and their capitals. This question is quite interesting, because although they are united by one name, culture and history are completely different.
Portuguese guinea
This African colony existed for exactly 500 years, from 1474 to 1974. The capital of Portuguese Guinea is Bissau. Together with Kasheu, it was for a long time the center where the slave trade flourished. This name was given to the Portuguese possessions in 1879.
Initially, only the coast belonged to the indigenous people. At the very beginning of the 20th century, the Portuguese actively began to oppose the tribes that lived in the center of the continent. This resistance lasted long enough - in 1936 Bijagos passed into the possession of the Portuguese.
In 1956, the struggle for independence began, led by the PAIGK party. For a long time it was conducted with the help of political discussions, and after five years it turned to armed clashes. In 1973, the independent Republic of Guinea-Bissau was proclaimed.
Bissau
Bissau is the capital of Guinea-Bissau. The city was formed in 1687. It covers an area of \u200b\u200b78 sq. km. As of 2009, almost 390 thousand people lived here.
The city was founded by the inhabitants of Portuguese Guinea as a center for the slave trade. The choice of the site for its construction was influenced by the harbor, which was excellent for receiving various types of ships. Bissau is the main industrial center in its country.
Port Moresby
The capital of Papua New Guinea is Port Moresby. It is located on the coast of the country. The climate on this territory is dominated by the subequatorial marine. Cold and dry weather prevails from May to September. Drought periodically sets in this area. Such a peculiarity of the climate is characteristic of the territory in which the capital is located, it is subject to such cataclysms once every 40 years. The maximum temperature is +31 ° С, the minimum is +23 ° С.
The flora of this city is typical for tropical forests. Here you can often find oaks, beeches and some other species that were brought by scientists from the European part of the planet.
Population of Port Moresby
As of 2012, the capital of Guinea is home to over 317,000 people. Basically, Papuans and Malanesians live here. They speak 700 languages \u200b\u200bamong themselves. Europeans and Australians are also common in the city. A small segment of the population consists of Chinese.
Speaking about official languages, it must be said that English, Tok-Pisin and Hiri-motu are recognized as the main ones. Visitors in most cases use the first, the other two are used only by indigenous people.
90% of the population are Christians. The capital of Guinea has also become a place of residence for Protestants (60%) and Catholics (30%).
Port Moresby culture
The Town Peninsula, which is part of the capital, is historic center... It attracts many tourists every year. In Town there is a fairly high hill from which a stunning view of the entire city opens. The capital of Guinea in its center has buildings erected in the 19th century. The oldest building is the Ella Church (1890). She looks really aristocratic. Buildings of political importance are concentrated in the north. In 1984, a house was built here, where parliamentary sessions are held to this day. Previously, sports games were held in the capital, so you can admire a special complex. It is designed for several thousand people and is even currently functioning.
Conakry
The capital of the Republic of Guinea is Conakry. She was recognized as such in 1958. As a port, Conakry is located on the shores of one of the world's oceans. As of 2012, over 2 million people live here. The city is divided into communes and districts.
The capital of Guinea is the main one in the economic sphere of the country. It is named the center of industry. The food, textile, chemical and woodworking industries, as well as metalworking and fishing are developed here. Due to the fact that the city has access to the ocean, the port is the main mode of foreign trade of the state.
The city's architecture began to develop at the end of the 19th century. Now it houses the Polytechnic Institute, several hotels, scientific centers, stadium, museums, botanical garden. All these places attract tourists.
In the eastern part of the city there is an art museum, where all national symbols are located, in the north - the People's Palace. Theatrical performances are staged there. Also in the city is the headquarters of the country's main party. These are the places that attract tourists. The city administration takes care of the safety of each of them.
