Papua New Guinea
6 00 S, 147 00 E
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
total: 820 km
border countries: Indonesia 820 km
active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis
gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
arable land: 0.49%
permanent crops: 1.4%
other: 98.11% (2005)
rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought
Hot, tropical climate at sea level, cooling towards the highlands which also cause climatic variation from one area to another, affecting the southeast trade winds and the northwest monsoons. The majority of the rain falls between December and March due to the northwest monsoon, although Port Moresby enjoys a dry season at this time. There is frost and there are occasional snow falls on the highest mountain peaks.
Required clothing
Tropical, lightweights and cottons are recommended. In the highlands, warmer clothing is needed. Rainwear is advised for the monsoon season (December to March).
time difference: UTC+10
