Amazing diversity not only of fauna and flora but also of nations, cultures and languages is the main feature of Papua New Guinea that rests one the most unexplored country in the world and probably hides many undiscovered species of animals and plants yet. Its vast tropical rain forests covering almost 80% of the territory shelter the incredible number of tribes and their languages that vary from village to village as well as the cultural traditions.

Papua New Guinea, lying to the north of Australia, consists of the part of the main island called New Guinea, the second largest island in the world, which occupies 80% of the state and the rest is created by more than 600 small islands.

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the majority of islands were created by volcanic activity and there are lots of active volcanoes and earthquakes still. Situated close to the equator, the climate is hot and humid with changing periods of rainy monsoons.

The unbelievable number of endemic species like tree kangaroos, mortally venomous snakes, more than 700 species of colourful birds, or the largest butterflies in the world, as well as indigenous tribes and cultures, makes from Papua New Guinea the paradise of explorers, biologists, anthropologists and adventurers of all kinds.

People in Papua New Guinea

The population of Papua New Guinea consists mainly of Papuans and Melanesians, Polynesians, and Micronesians. The official language is English, although just few people speak it, creole language Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu. As only 18% of the population live in the cities, the vast majority reside in villages, bunching in tribes and family clans and devoting to the primitive agriculture. Hence it comes the significant labelling of Papua New Guinea as "the Nation of Villages". Most of people profess catholic religion, although traditional animistic beliefs are still common, observing various spectacular rituals of magic and sorcery, accompanying the important events of the villagers' lives.

Culture in Papua New Guinea

Traditional rituals of more than one thousand different cultures, identified in Papua New Guinea, are being performed on the occasions of important events in people's lives till nowadays. Practised by the elder and warriors of the particular clans, being decorated in warpaint, feathers, pearls, and shells, the traditional dances and ceremonies are the main attractions for curious tourists. Each of twenty provinces, dividing Papua New Guinea, provides its own festivals and shows luring populous travellers to experience for example the colourful festival Hiri Moale held in the capital Port Moresby or the spectacular Mount Hagen Show.

What to do in Papua New Guinea

Breathtaking diversity of cultures reflects the same diversity in art forms that you can explore on the indigenous markets, adoring artistically performed pottery, painted carvings, original musical instruments, weapons and many other articles. Thanks to the volcanic activity the majority of small islands are made just of the tops of underwater mountains and that is why their flamboyant coral reefs, along with the amount of wrecked warships on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, attract divers from all over the world. Trekking is other popular activity of adventurers desiring to explore the abundance of the Papua New Guinean fauna and flora.