| Position: | Southeast Asia; located in the eastern part of the island New Guinea. Between the Coral Sea and the Solomon Sea in the South Pacific Ocean. |
| Coordinates: | 06.00 S ; 147.00 E |
| Surface: | Total: 462,840 kmē |
Country: 452,860 kmē |
Water: 9,980 kmē |
| Boundary lines: | Total: 820 km | Indonesia: 820 km | |
| Mountains: |
Highest one: |
Lowest one: 0 m |
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| Natural resources: | Gold; Silver; | Wood; Gas | Oil; Copper |
| Population: |
1950 approx.: |
1999 approx 4,7 mio. |
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| Age structure 1999: | of it: to 14 years: 39% | 15 to 64 years: 58% | over 65 years: 3% |
| Expected age of living: | Men: 55 years | Women: 58 years | |
| Population groeth: | 1997: 2,5% | 1999: 2,3% | |
| Birth rate: | 1999: 32,0 / 1,000 |
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| Death rate: | 1999: 9,5 / 1,000 |
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| Child mortallity rate: | 1999: 55,6 / 1,000 | ||
| Ethnical groups: | Melanesian | Papuas | Negrito |
| Micronesian | Polynesian |
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| Religions: | 34% indigenous beliefs | 22% Roman-Catholic | 16% Lutherans 8% Methodist |
| 5% Anglican | 4% Evangelical Alliance | 11% other protestant groups | |
| Language: | Motu | Pidgin; English | 715 different local languages |
| Illiteratism: | Entire population: 28% | Men: 19% | Women: 37% |
| Capitol: | Port Moresby |
| Provinces: (20 st.) |
Bougainville | Central | Chimbu | Eastern Highlands | East New Britain |
| East Sepik | Enga | Gulf | Madang | Manus | |
| Milne Bay | Morobe | National Capital | New Ireland | Northern | |
| Sandaun | Southern Highlands | Western | Western Highlands | West New Britain |
| National holiday: | Independence day 16. September (1975) |
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| Currency: | Kina (K) = 100 toea | ||
| Inflation rate: | 1998: 12% | ||
| Volume of exports: | 1997: approx: 2,2 billion US$ |
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| Import volume: | 1997: 1,5 billion US$ | ||
| Railway: | Total distances: 0 Km |
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| Motor roads: | Total distances: 19,600 Km |
tarred: 686 km | untarred: 18,914 Km |
| Water ways: | Total: 10,940 Km | ||
| Ports and Harbours: | Port Moresby; Rabaul | Lae; Madang | Kieta |
| Airports: | Total: 492 | of it tarred: 19 | untarred: 473 |
