PAPUA NEW GUINEA
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Papua New Guinea
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Location,
Geography, & Climate
Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern
half of the rugged tropical island of New Guinea(which it shares
with the Indonesian territory of Irian Jaya) as well as numerous
smaller islands and atolls in the Pacific. The central part of the
island rises into a wide ridge of mountains known as the Highlands,
a territory that is so densely forested and topographically forbidding
that the island's local peoples remained isolated from each other
for millennia. The coastline is liberally endowed with spectacular
coral reefs, giving the country an international reputation for scuba
diving. The smaller island groups of
Papua New Guinea include the Bismarck Archipelago, New Britain, New
Ireland and the North Solomons. Some of these islands are volcanic,
with dramatic mountain ranges, and all are relatively undeveloped.
Nearly 85 percent of the main island is
carpeted with tropical rain forest, containing vegetation that is a
combination of Asian and Australian species. The country is also home
to an impressive variety of exotic birds, including virtually all of
the known species of birds of paradise, and it is blessed with more
kinds of orchids than any other country.
Papua New Guinea's climate is tropical, as one would expect in a country located just south of the Equator. December to March is the wet season, although occasional rain falls year-round. While Port Moresby, the capital, and other towns on the coast are quite hot in the summer months, temperatures are considerable cooler in the Highlands. July, August, and September are the best months for trekking vacations.
Papua New Guinea
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