Papua New Guinea. Population of New Guinea, Papuans, Population of Irian Jaya, photo of the Papuans New Guinea season

Health & BeautyTourism

The island of New Guinea is located in Indian Ocean north of the Australian continent. It is usually referred to as Oceania. However, New Guinea is almost equally divided by the vertical border. The western part belongs to Indonesia, and the right one belongs to the state of Papua New Guinea. Therefore, its western part is often referred to as Asia. The closest neighbors to the north are the Moluccas, to the east is New Britain, and to the south is Australia. The island of New Guinea itself is enormous. It is the second largest island in the world, only Greenland is larger than it. There are many small islets around New Guinea. Some of them are inhabited by aborigines, others are deserted.

The nature and climate of the island of New Guinea

On the island, the flat terrain is changing mountain ranges... In the western part, there is an array called Maoke. Its highest peak, Punchak Jaya, almost reaches an altitude of 4.9 km above sea level. The Bismarck Mountains in the east are only slightly inferior in scope and height. Mount Wilhelm is about 4.5 km above sea level.

The proximity to the equator and remoteness from civilization made this island a real corner. wildlife... Researchers count here about 11 thousand species of plants, hundreds of species of animals and insects. On the island New Guinea there is a place called the Garden of Eden. It was discovered only in 2005. The Garden of Eden is a site in the western part of New Guinea, it covers an area of ​​300 thousand hectares. Its location allowed the Garden of Eden to remain isolated until recently. Researchers have discovered many species of frogs, butterflies and plants that science knew nothing about. To their surprise, they found here the so-called "bird of paradise", which was considered extinct, and the rarest mammal - the tree kangaroo.

In the south and north of New Guinea, the climate is different. The northern part lies in the equatorial belt, the southern - in the subequatorial. The hottest weather is usually on the coast and small islands... In the north of the island, the climate is uniform throughout the year. During the day, the air temperature is around + 30 ° C, at night it drops to about + 24 ° C. In southern New Guinea, the seasons differ more. In summer, the weather is about the same as in the north. In winter, which lasts from May to September, the temperature during the day is about + 28 ° C, and at night - about 22 ° C. If you do not tolerate the heat, it is better to choose central or mountainous regions for recreation. There, the air temperature is always 7-10 degrees lower. At high altitudes, at night the air temperature can drop to + 6 ° C. Therefore, you will have to take care of warm clothes.

The humidity on the island is different everywhere. Moreover, it is never possible to guess where it will rain more and where it will be less. The rainy season usually lasts from December to March. However, in the summer, showers are not uncommon here. They are especially common on small islands off the coast of New Guinea.

Attractions and population of New Guinea

When traveling to New Guinea, don't expect to see many cultural monuments... There are no majestic architectural structures here, no famous poets and painters were born here. But the island itself is amazing. It mesmerizes with its wild tropical nature. And a separate item is the local population. Scattered throughout New Guinea are traditional villages inhabited by Aboriginal people who have preserved their ancient culture.

An interesting attraction of Papua New Guinea - Giluwe volcano... It has two peaks at once, and alpine meadows stretch on its slopes. It is the tallest volcano in all of Oceania and Australia. Its height is about 4.4 km above sea level. For the first time, the ascent of Giluwe Peak was made by two Australians - Mick and Dan Leahy. Nowadays, tourists are invited to repeat the expedition of the Leahy brothers and climb to the very mouth of the volcano. The view from the top is simply fantastic.

Another interesting place is the Cook settlement. It was named after the famous discoverer, sailor James Cook, who made many voyages and made a significant contribution to the study of the life of the population of Australia and Oceania. The Cook settlement is also called the Cook Marshes, which are located in the Waghi Valley, at an altitude of 1.5 km above sea level. Thanks to archaeological excavations, it became known that many thousands of years ago, local tribes were excellent at the art of agriculture. The findings of the researchers made it possible to compile a complete picture of the life of the aborigines - how they moved from collecting to agriculture and cattle breeding. As early as 4 thousand years ago, they had a developed drainage system that allows them to supply the soil with moisture.

The city of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, is also worth seeing. It is located on a peninsula protruding into the sea. At its tip is history Center the city, which the locals call Town. There is also a high hill Paga, from the top of which a wonderful view of the entire city opens. In Port Mosby, you can see buildings dating back to the late 19th century. Of particular interest in terms of architecture is the united Ella Church and the Parliament building. The appearance of the city is very motley. Here you can see old huts on stilts next to high-rise office buildings made of concrete and glass. You can learn about the history and culture of the country at the National Museum, which is located in the city center. Ports Mosby is also home to the National Botanical Park. Here are collected plants from all over the country. It is worth paying attention to the exposition, made in the form of a map of Papua New Guinea. Plants on it are planted in such a way that they reflect the characteristics of the flora of every corner of the country. Here you can also see a huge collection of orchids. You will travel between lianas and tropical thickets on wooden decks, enjoying the beauty and scent of these exotic flowers. In addition, the botanical park is home to many tropical birds and some animals. Couscous and tree kangaroos always delight and delight tourists. These are completely safe and very cute animals.

Only its colorful population can be compared with the beauties of the nature of New Guinea. To get acquainted with the life and culture of the brightest and most unusual tribes, you need to go to eastern part islands - Papua New Guinea. It is here that the Papuans live - aborigines who have lived outside of civilization for thousands of years. Of course, the tribes gradually adapt to modern world... If women and men wear traditional straw skirts or prefer nudity, then cloth shorts or jeans can already be seen on children. It is impossible to say something definite about the tribes. The fact is that about 7 million people live here. At the same time, the researchers discovered about 850 different languages ​​and dialects and the same number of ethnic groups, each of which has its own unique culture, beliefs and traditions. The largest Dani tribe occupies a territory in central area islands. Their settlements are open to tourists. Here you can learn about the traditions of the tribe, among which there is cannibalism and wars with neighboring villages. You will be shown local crafts, Papuans' outfits and even ancient mummies. An extremely unusual sight.

If you want to get to know all the tribes at once, you should visit one of the festivals of Papua New Guinea, where the aborigines represent their culture, dressing up in the craziest and most colorful outfits and performing traditional songs and ritual dances. The largest holiday is the Independence Day of Papua New Guinea. On the eve of this day, the Goroka festival is held. It is here that you can see hundreds of representatives of various tribes. Their bodies are painted in the craziest colors, their necks are hung with massive necklaces of shells, and their heads are crowned with headdresses richly decorated with feathers of tropical birds, dry plants, bones and other natural materials. It is worth visiting the Goroka festival once, and there will be enough impressions for the rest of your life.

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The island of New Guinea is located north of Australia. In a long geological era, the island constituted a single territory with this continent, therefore the flora and fauna of New Guinea is in many ways similar to the fauna and flora of Australia.

New Guinea is rich in endemics, unique species of plants and animals that are found only on the territory of this island.

Plants

About 11 thousand plant species grow in New Guinea. There are 2.5 thousand species of unique orchids alone, among which scientists have recently discovered a plant that blooms for only one night.

Here grow coke and sago palms, sandalwood, bread and mangrove trees, wild sugarcane. Among the trees, represented by 1200 species, conifers predominate, most of which are representatives of different species of araucaria.

Throughout New Guinea, the Cunningham araucaria is found, reaching a height of 60 meters and a trunk thickness of 3 meters. This plant is found at an altitude of 2800 meters and is a long-liver, reaching an age of up to 500 years.

Animals

The fauna of New Guinea is so diverse and little studied that in the western part of this island, scientists have recently discovered hitherto unknown animal species. This part of the island was named the Garden of Eden due to the fact that the animals found by the researchers were absolutely not afraid of people and allowed scientists to come close to them.

This tropical island is home to over 400 species of amphibians and more than 500 species of birds, 1,000 species of fish and 450 species of butterflies, as well as 180 species of mammals, among which there are a lot of marsupials.

A unique animal of New Guinea is the Goodfellow kangaroo, which lives in the highlands in the tropical forests of this island. These animals spend most of their time in trees, and on the ground they move rather uncertainly. In kangaroos, unlike the Australian species, the hind legs are very short. Therefore, these marsupials are bad jumpers. These tree kangaroos are threatened with extinction due to hunting for meat and increasing destruction of the rainforest.

Video: Tree Kangaroos

Video: Birds of Paradise of New Guinea

Film: Journey to the Stone Age. Papua New Guinea.

Beautiful nature photos of New Guinea.

THE NATURE OF THE ISLAND NEW GUINEA

Western New Guinea is considered a nature lover's paradise with an astounding variety of flora and fauna. The flora has representatives of mountains, meadows, marshes and bogs, tropical, tidal, deciduous and coniferous forests, in which you can find an endless variety of types of grasses, lyes, ferns, mosses, lianas, flowers and trees. Various plants form a living carpet here, intertwining with the overhanging canopy of the rainforest.
The fauna of the province is also very diverse. Freshwater and terrestrial vertebrates are almost indistinguishable from animals found in Australia, including the marsupial family. A wide variety of snakes, turtles, anteaters, porcupines, possums, bats, and rats (including the world's largest water rat that can climb trees) can be found in forests and open grassy areas. As well as giant lizards, tree-dwelling kangaroos and marsupial cats.
Western New Guinea is known for its variety of butterflies and its many (about 700 recorded species) unique bird species. It is home to 80 species of bird of paradise and a huge flightless cassowary.
V coastal waters you can find sea turtles and sea cows.
To the east of the city of Jayapura, on the shores of the Yos Sudar-so bay, is the Yotefa Nature Reserve with many beautiful beaches and the remains of several ships that were once sunk during the war. From Sorong, there is easy access to the Raja Empat Island Reserve.
In the waters off the Bird's Head Peninsula, the highest concentration of hard corals known to science is recorded - more than 250 different species are found on one hectare. This is more than four times the number of coral species found throughout the Caribbean, but on an area roughly equal to two football fields. Two new species of epaulette sharks have recently been discovered here. These elegant predators grow up to 1.2 meters and, moving along the bottom, rely on their pectoral fins. Also described are 8 new species of shrimp, 24 species of fish and 20 corals, many of which are endemic. These stunning reefs are literally a species factory.
In the inner valley of the Foggia ridge, several hundred kilometers from the Bird's Head, many new species of animals and plants, previously unknown to science, have been discovered: giant flowers and the rare tree kangaroo, the orange honey badger, the first new bird species found on the giant island in more than 60 years. The Foggia Ridge and Bird's Head waters are considered some of the most unique areas on the planet in terms of biodiversity.

From time immemorial, Russian and foreign sailors began to explore the islands located in the Pacific Ocean. These natural complexes are so amazing and unusual that they are considered to be isolated continents with their own culture and way of life. From school, we all remember that in Oceania, after Greenland is Papua New Guinea.

The island is washed by several seas: New Guinea, Solomon, Coral, as well as the Gulf of Papua. Close scrutiny natural resources, local culture Miklouho-Maclay N.N., a Russian biologist and navigator, who made a significant contribution to geography, history and science, was engaged in the indigenous population. Thanks to this man, the world learned about the existence of the wild jungle and distinctive tribes.

True, tours to the island in Oceania are not in great demand, while they remain a rarity. But travelers who have visited the local jungle, untouched by civilization, recall their vacation with rapture and delight. Rich vegetation, exotic fauna, amazing landscapes, a variety of languages, customs and cultures leave an indelible impression on your memory. Our publication is dedicated to this state.

Geographical description of the island of New Guinea

The tropical island is located in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, connecting two parts of the world: Asia and Australia. Since 1975 it has been an independent state, also part of the British Commonwealth and is a member of the UN. Its capital is Port Moresby. The origin of the island of New Guinea is mainland. Almost the entire territory is covered with massive hills and rocky ridges.

Most of them are of volcanic origin, rising 3000 meters above sea level. According to scientific data, the most high mountain it is considered Wilhelm, which reaches 4509 meters. Between the hills, there are wide basins filled with water, densely planted with tropical trees.

Several rivers flow on the island: Ramu, Sepik, Markham, Purari, Fly. Scientists engaged in the geological study of the island claim that the continent has a high seismic activity. The last eruption was recorded in the last century, during which thousands of people suffered, as well as huge damage to agriculture.

Island of New Guinea: population

Life on tropical islands originated thousands of years ago, no one can name the exact date. The last census took place in 1900, at that time the number was about 10 million people. The indigenous inhabitants are the Papuans belonging to the equatorial race. In addition to the Melanesians, as this nation is also called, Asians and even Europeans live.

Lack of civilization, jobs, as well as unfavorable living conditions and the presence of a high crime situation force the aborigines to migrate from the "mainland" of New Guinea. The island lives by its own customs and laws. Papuans create clans, tribes, elect elders, without whom important tasks and decisions are not made.

The main occupation of the population is agriculture. Wild tribes plow the land, plant palms with bananas, coconuts, and pineapples. Fishing and hunting are no less popular. Some Aboriginal people mine precious metals and then sell them on the black market.

Climatic conditions

The huge masses of water and the small size of the land have influenced the climate in general. In the north, there is a humid equatorial climate characterized by abundant rainfall and slight winds. Summer temperature regime ranges from +30 ... + 32 ° С, slightly decreases at night.

The southern part of the mainland is ruled by the subequatorial climatic zone... During the winter months (January-February) strong winds prevail on the island of Papua New Guinea. The island, or rather the southeast (May-August) and the central part, are heavily flooded with tropical rains.

The rest of the coastal area (lowland) suffers drought until late autumn. In areas with high mountains and the ridges receive a small amount of precipitation, since the hills serve as a protective barrier in the way of cold air masses and rains.

Economic situation

The relief of the ridges prevents the construction of highways and connecting paths. Until now, there is no ground communication with large New Guinea. The island has only air links with the Pacific regions. To maintain and develop the economy, the state in Oceania regularly receives financial support from Australia.

However, the infrastructure remains at an antediluvian level. The main reason is the lack of compliance with the law on the part of local residents. Crime and civil strife are raging in rural areas. In order to protect their property from robbery and devastation, residents create communities.

The main activity of the population is agriculture. Thus, market relations are established between tribes and regions. Sweet potatoes and tea are cultivated in the mountainous regions; vegetables, bananas, yams, taro are cultivated in the lowlands. They grow various cereals, fruit, coffee and chocolate trees. Livestock breeding is practiced. Papua New Guinea is abundant in mineral resources. The mining industry is actively developing.

Flora

The territory of the island of New Guinea is covered with evergreen savannas. Valuable plant species and relict trees grow in the jungle: sago and coconut palms, melons and mangoes, rubber plants, ficuses, bamboos, pandanuses, casuarins. The forests include pines and ferns. And on the marshland, mangrove plantations grow. On the banks of the rivers, you can see thickets of sugar cane.

Fauna

The animal world is rich and varied. Alligators, dangerous and poisonous snakes, lizards and chameleons are found in local rivers. The fauna is represented by amazing insects, exotic birds and reptiles. Birds of paradise, cassowaries, large parrots live on the mainland. Large turtles crawl along the coast. In the forests there are marsupial badgers, kangaroos, and couscous. Local residents breed animals familiar to our region: pigs, cows, horses, goats and other livestock.

Tourist focus

Avid travelers know where the island of New Guinea is, and therefore tend to get here in the summer months to see the colorful and diverse world of the jungle. In warm weather, enchanting festivals with national aboriginal dances are organized here. Many are attracted by sightseeing vacation in the wild jungle with a local guide, others - acquaintance with the sights of the nearby resorts.

Things to do?

When purchasing a tour to Papua New Guinea, be sure to go diving. Every hotel and inn offers similar services. The waters of the Pacific Ocean are an unusually colorful world, teeming with coral reefs, amazing sea creatures, and large predators. Sunken ships and planes can be seen at the bottom of the ocean.

Surfing and windsurfing are also popular. The best beaches for this extreme activity are the coasts of the resorts Vewak, Madang, Vanimo, Alotau. It is allowed to fish in the coastal waters, which is what the guests of the island do. They manage to catch mackerel, giant carax, dogtooth tuna, barracuda, salmon, perch and many other trophies. Rafting, canoeing, kayaking, boat trips are in great demand.

Papua New Guinea is a natural wonder of the world, concealing many mysteries and enticing with its resources. If you are not afraid of tropical mosquito bites and aggressive behavior of the Papuans, then feel free to purchase a tour to the picturesque island.

Located in the Indian Ocean north of the Australian continent. It is usually referred to as Oceania. However, New Guinea is almost equally divided by the vertical border. The western part belongs to Indonesia, and the right one belongs to the state of Papua New Guinea. Therefore, its western part is often referred to as Asia. The closest neighbors to the north are the Moluccas, to the east is New Britain, and to the south is Australia. The island of New Guinea itself is enormous. It is the second largest island in the world, only Greenland is larger than it. There are many small islets around New Guinea. Some of them are inhabited by aborigines, others are deserted.

The nature and climate of the island of New Guinea

On the island, the flat terrain is replaced by mountain ranges. In the western part, there is an array called Maoke. Its highest peak, Punchak Jaya, almost reaches an altitude of 4.9 km above sea level. The Bismarck Mountains in the east are only slightly inferior in scope and height. Mount Wilhelm is about 4.5 km above sea level.

The proximity to the equator and remoteness from civilization have made this island a real wilderness. Researchers count here about 11 thousand species of plants, hundreds of species of animals and insects. There is a place on the island called the Garden of Eden. It was discovered only in 2005. The Garden of Eden is a site in the western part of New Guinea, it covers an area of ​​300 thousand hectares. Its location allowed the Garden of Eden to remain isolated until recently. Researchers have discovered many species of frogs, butterflies and plants that science knew nothing about. To their surprise, they found here the so-called "bird of paradise", which was considered extinct, and the rarest mammal - the tree kangaroo.

In the south and north of New Guinea, the climate is different. The northern part lies in the equatorial belt, the southern - in the subequatorial. The hottest weather is usually on the coast and small islands. In the north of the island, the climate is uniform throughout the year. During the day, the air temperature is around + 30 ° C, at night it drops to about + 24 ° C. In southern New Guinea, the seasons differ more. In summer, the weather is about the same as in the north. In winter, which lasts from May to September, the temperature during the day is about + 28 ° C, and at night - about 22 ° C. If you do not tolerate the heat, it is better to choose central or mountainous regions for recreation. There, the air temperature is always 7-10 degrees lower. At high altitudes, at night the air temperature can drop to + 6 ° C. Therefore, you will have to take care of warm clothes.

The humidity on the island is different everywhere. Moreover, it is never possible to guess where it will rain more and where it will be less. The rainy season usually lasts from December to March. However, in the summer, showers are not uncommon here. They are especially common on small islands off the coast of New Guinea.

Attractions and population of New Guinea

When traveling to New Guinea, don't expect to see many cultural monuments... There are no majestic architectural structures here, no famous poets and painters were born here. But the island itself is amazing. It mesmerizes with its wild tropical nature. And a separate item is the local population. Scattered throughout New Guinea are traditional villages inhabited by Aboriginal people who have preserved their ancient culture.

An interesting attraction of Papua New Guinea - Giluwe volcano... It has two peaks at once, and alpine meadows stretch on its slopes. It is the tallest volcano in all of Oceania and Australia. Its height is about 4.4 km above sea level. For the first time, the ascent of Giluwe Peak was made by two Australians - Mick and Dan Leahy. Nowadays, tourists are invited to repeat the expedition of the Leahy brothers and climb to the very mouth of the volcano. The view from the top is simply fantastic.

Another interesting place is the Cook settlement. It was named after the famous discoverer, sailor James Cook, who made many voyages and made a significant contribution to the study of the life of the population of Australia and Oceania. The Cook settlement is also called the Cook Marshes, which are located in the Waghi Valley, at an altitude of 1.5 km above sea level. Thanks to archaeological excavations, it became known that many thousands of years ago, local tribes were excellent at the art of agriculture. The findings of the researchers made it possible to compile a complete picture of the life of the aborigines - how they moved from collecting to agriculture and cattle breeding. As early as 4 thousand years ago, they had a developed drainage system that allows them to supply the soil with moisture.

The city of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, is also worth seeing. It is located on a peninsula protruding into the sea. At its end is the historic center of the city, which the locals call Town. There is also a high hill Paga, from the top of which a wonderful view of the entire city opens. In Port Mosby, you can see buildings dating back to the late 19th century. Of particular interest in terms of architecture is the united Ella Church and the Parliament building. The appearance of the city is very motley. Here you can see old huts on stilts next to high-rise office buildings made of concrete and glass. You can learn about the history and culture of the country at the National Museum, which is located in the city center. Ports Mosby is also home to the National Botanical Park. Here are collected plants from all over the country. It is worth paying attention to the exposition, made in the form of a map of Papua New Guinea. Plants on it are planted in such a way that they reflect the characteristics of the flora of every corner of the country. Here you can also see a huge collection of orchids. You will travel between lianas and tropical thickets on wooden decks, enjoying the beauty and scent of these exotic flowers. In addition, the botanical park is home to many tropical birds and some animals. Couscous and tree kangaroos always delight and delight tourists. These are completely safe and very cute animals.

Only its colorful population can be compared with the beauties of the nature of New Guinea. To get acquainted with the life and culture of the brightest and most unusual tribes, you need to go to the eastern part of the island - Papua New Guinea. It is here that the Papuans live - aborigines who have lived outside of civilization for thousands of years. Of course, the tribes are gradually adapting to the modern world. If women and men wear traditional straw skirts or prefer nudity, then cloth shorts or jeans can already be seen on children. It is impossible to say something definite about the tribes. The fact is that about 7 million people live here. At the same time, the researchers discovered about 850 different languages ​​and dialects and the same number of ethnic groups, each of which has its own unique culture, beliefs and traditions. The largest Dani tribe occupies an area in the central region of the island. Their settlements are open to tourists. Here you can learn about the traditions of the tribe, among which there is cannibalism and wars with neighboring villages. You will be shown local crafts, Papuans' outfits and even ancient mummies. An extremely unusual sight.

If you want to get to know all the tribes at once, you should visit one of the festivals of Papua New Guinea, where the aborigines represent their culture, dressing up in the craziest and most colorful outfits and performing traditional songs and ritual dances. The largest holiday is the Independence Day of Papua New Guinea. On the eve of this day, the Goroka festival is held. It is here that you can see hundreds of representatives of various tribes. Their bodies are painted in the craziest colors, their necks are hung with massive necklaces of shells, and their heads are crowned with headdresses richly decorated with feathers of tropical birds, dry plants, bones and other natural materials. It is worth visiting the Goroka festival once, and there will be enough impressions for the rest of your life.

Papua New Guinea - 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 his hair local population... Twenty years later, Iñigo Ortiz de Retes arrived on the island and gave the place the name of New Guinea. In his opinion, the locals were like 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 became officially called Papua New Guinea.

Capital	Port Moresby
Population	6 187 591 people
	461.7 thousand km²
Population density	13 people / km²
	English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu
Religion	most of the population is Christian, the rest adhere to local traditional beliefs
Form of government	a constitutional monarchy
Timezone
International dialing code
Domain zone on the Internet
Electricity

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.

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, therefore, here the division is not made into winter and summer, but into the rainy season and the dry season. True, for each location, these seasons come at different times.

Only the coastal areas are really hot. Concerning mountainous 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.

The flora and fauna of these places are especially diverse. More than 20,000 different plant species 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 and therefore 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 humid forests, and recently vegetable gardens and whole plantations have become more and more common. It is customary to grow sugarcane here, coconut trees, bananas and tubers such as sweet potatoes, yams, taro, cassava and others. Gardens are to be cultivated for only two or three years. After that, the area is overgrown with forest again for the next 10-12 years. This is how the local people maintain the fertility of the soil.

Where forests rise to a height of 1000-2000 meters, the vegetation becomes more and more monotonous. Mainly there are conifers 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 hollows of the mountains, 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. On the banks of the rivers you can find turtles and crocodiles. The bird world is represented by 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

There are many natural attractions in Papua New Guinea. One of the main ones is a two-vertex panel board Giluwe volcano which is located in the Southern Highlands. The volcano is the second highest peak in the country, reaching 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 under the name 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 ​​this historical monument is 116 hectares. Since 1960, archaeological excavations and research have been carried out here.

Another famous natural attraction 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 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 ​​49 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, it 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 giant collection of orchids, hanging paths and “ vegetable map" country.

The next obligatory place to visit should become " 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 rooms located in different parts of the capital.

Nutrition

National food is quite different from the European type we are used to. Local kitchen represented by meat and fish dishes 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 kaukau, 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. As alcoholic beverages in Papua New Guinea, Filipino and Australian beer is widespread.

Residence

In Papua New Guinea, there are many opportunities to spend the night in comfort. 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 a more comfortable environment are offered a hotel Kimbe bay... Around it are located tropical gardens and close to the building there are coral reefs perfect 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, whose windows overlook 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 number of different things to do.

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, sing, beat drums, perform ritual ceremonies and simply communicate. Due to the fact that the festival is a multinational lively and cheerful 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... Located 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 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 large shopping centers and restaurants, you can present international credit cards... But with the search for ATMs, problems may arise. They are only 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 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

Between New Guinea and the rest of the islands coastal shipping... Main the airport located in the capital - Port Moresby.

In this country, it is customary to take car rental to be able to independently explore all the beauties of the area. True, you will only be given a car 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, 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 that you may need - the police can be reached on 000, the fire department - 110, and ambulance can be called by calling 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 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 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 climate

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 industries are 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, and 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 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 indicated on the invoice is, as a rule, final.
• You should be aware that any unbottled water here is unusable.
• Several species of sharks 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.

Today 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, pom. 22-N.

Phone: (+7 812) 334 3327.