Question 1

What is the population of Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

The population of Papua New Guinea is approximately 10.3M.

Question 2

How do people greet each other in Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

Papua New Guineans greet by shaking hands, though customs vary by area and language group. A nod and a smile are enough when passing a stranger. Do: Shake hands when greeting Nod and smile when passing a stranger Use the appropriate title with a full name for important officials Use first names in most casual cases

Question 3

What are the dining customs in Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

People typically eat two large meals with snacking throughout the day, usually sitting on the ground or floor, using a spoon or their hands. Do: Use a spoon, the most common utensil Sit on the ground or floor to eat (tables may be used in urban areas) Don't: Don't ask for second helpings, as it can imply the host did not provide adequately Staple foods include kaukau (sweet potato) in the Highlands and saksak (sago palm extract) on the coast and lowlands Taro, bananas, and yams are common; beer is popular as a status drink among men

Question 4

What should I know about social etiquette in Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

Visiting is a big part of daily life and is welcomed whether planned or impromptu, and people are event-oriented rather than time-oriented. Do: Welcome and enjoy informal, often lengthy visits Share food, tobacco, or betel nut and discuss the day's news when visiting Meetings and gatherings may not start on time Family and clan loyalty is strong, with an obligation to share income and possessions

Question 5

How should I dress in Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

Western-style clothing is most common, with traditional attire limited to extremely remote areas. Men wear shorts or pants; a shirt is optional when hot or doing physical labor Both men and women often wear laplap (a wraparound sarong)

Question 6

Which gestures matter in Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

Gestures with the head, eyes, and eyebrows are important to communication, and some gestures carry strong meanings. Don't: Don't stare at a person of the opposite sex, as it is very offensive Don't hold hands with a member of the opposite sex in public Avoid the thumbs-up sign, which some consider offensive Men holding hands, and women holding hands, is a sign of friendship A short hiss and sideways motion of the head indicates disgust or derision

Question 7

What is family life like in Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

The extended family is the basis of support, sharing food, wealth, and work, with a great deal of obligation and duty. A child may refer to having more than one mother or father and many siblings Infertile parents or those who lost a child are often given a child by relatives Most family structures are patriarchal, though some societies are matriarchal Men usually handle construction; women cook, care for children, animals, and the garden

Question 8

What do people do for fun in Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

Soccer, rugby, and cricket are popular sports, while traditional recreation involves storytelling, dance, and song. Electricity is not available everywhere, so television is a luxury

Question 9

What is the capital of Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

Port Moresby is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea. Situated on the southeastern coast of the main island, it serves as the nation's political, economic, and administrative hub. The city grew in prominence during the period of Australian administration and today houses the national parliament, major government institutions, and the country's principal international airport, making it the primary gateway for visitors and commerce.

Question 10

Where is Papua New Guinea located?

Accepted Answer

Papua New Guinea lies in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea — the second largest island in the world — along with numerous smaller islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It sits just north of Australia, to the east of Indonesia, and south of the equator. The country is part of the broader Melanesian cultural region and straddles the boundary between Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Question 11

What countries border Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

Papua New Guinea shares a single land border with Indonesia to the west, along the island of New Guinea. The country's remaining boundaries are maritime: the Coral Sea lies to the south and east, the Solomon Sea to the east, and the Bismarck Sea to the north. The Torres Strait separates the nation from Australia to the south, with the two countries connected by close historical, economic, and diplomatic ties.

Question 12

What religion is practiced in Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

Indigenous beliefs constitute the largest religious category, observed by approximately 34 percent of the population. Roman Catholicism accounts for roughly 22 percent, reflecting the significant influence of European missionary activity from the colonial era, while Lutheranism represents around 16 percent, a legacy of German missionary work in the north. In practice, many Papua New Guineans blend Christian doctrine with traditional animist and ancestral belief systems that remain deeply embedded in community life.

Question 13

What is the currency of Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

The currency of Papua New Guinea is the Papua New Guinean Kina, with the ISO code PGK. The kina was introduced at independence in 1975, replacing the Australian dollar that had been in use during the period of Australian administration. The name "kina" derives from a Kuanua word for the gold-lipped pearl shell, which historically served as a medium of exchange and a symbol of wealth in many traditional Papua New Guinean societies.

Question 14

What languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea?

Accepted Answer

Melanesian Pidgin, also known as Tok Pisin, functions as the primary lingua franca across the country and is the most widely understood language in daily life. English is an official language but is spoken fluently by only about 1 to 2 percent of the population, largely in government and formal education contexts. Hiri Motu is spoken in the Papua region. Beyond these, Papua New Guinea is home to over 800 distinct indigenous languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse nations on Earth.

Question 15

What is Papua New Guinea known for?

Accepted Answer

Papua New Guinea is renowned for its extraordinary cultural and linguistic diversity, with over 800 languages and hundreds of distinct tribal traditions. The annual Goroka Show and Mount Hagen Cultural Show draw international attention for their spectacular displays of traditional sing-sing dancing, elaborate body paint, and ceremonial dress. The country is also a major exporter of liquefied natural gas, gold, and copper, and its rainforests and coral reefs — including those of Milne Bay — are considered among the richest in biodiversity in the world.

Question 16

What is the history of Papua New Guinea's independence?

Accepted Answer

Papua New Guinea achieved full independence on 16 September 1975, having been administered by Australia for much of the twentieth century. The eastern half of New Guinea was originally divided between Germany in the north and Britain in the south in 1885; Britain transferred its portion to Australia in 1902, and Australia occupied the German north during World War I. Following independence, the nation faced a significant internal crisis when a secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville lasted nine years and claimed approximately 20,000 lives before concluding in 1997.

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