Port Moresby (IPA: [ˌpɔː^rt ˈmɔː^rzbi]), or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, population 255,000 (2000), is the capital of Papua New Guinea. The city is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea. Image File history File links Flag_of_NCD.svg‎ File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Location of the National Capital District in Papua New Guinea The National Capital District of Papua New Guinea is the incorporated area around Port Moresby, which is the capital of Papua New Guinea. ... Image File history File links Dot-yellow. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Port Moresby Lae Arawa Mount Hagen Wewak Kokopo Rabaul // Many of these figures were taken from the most recent PNG census, which was in the year 2000. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Motu is one of many Central Papuan languages spoken by the Motuans, native habitants of Papua New Guinea. ... Motu is one of many Central Papuan languages spoken by the Motuans, native habitants of Papua New Guinea. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of the Earths surface is covered with water. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ... Celsius is, or relates to, the Celsius temperature scale (previously known as the centigrade scale). ... For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... Celsius is, or relates to, the Celsius temperature scale (previously known as the centigrade scale). ... For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... This article is about the unit of length. ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 × 1200 pixel, file size: 778 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Articles with similar titles include the NATO phonetic alphabet, which has also informally been called the “International Phonetic Alphabet”. For information on how to read IPA transcriptions of English words, see IPA chart for English. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... Papua New Guinea The Gulf of Papua is a region on the south shore of New Guinea. ...

The area on which the city was founded has been inhabited by the Motu-Koitabu people for centuries. It was first sighted by a European in 1873 by Captain John Moresby. It was named in honour of his father Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby. The Motuans are native habitants of Papua New Guinea, living along the southern coastal area of the country. ... Son of Fairfax Moresby who named Papua New Guineas capital Port Moresby after him. ... Sir Fairfax Moresby (1786 - 1877) was a significant English admiral. ...

History

Before colonisation

The Motuan people of the area now known as Port Moresby traded their pots for sago, other food and canoe logs, sailing from Hanuabada and other villages built on silts above the waters of the bay. They also intermarried with the Gulf people and created strong family and trade links. The Motuans are native habitants of Papua New Guinea, living along the southern coastal area of the country. ... It has been suggested that Sabudana be merged into this article or section. ... Gulf Province is a province of Papua New Guinea located on the southern coast. ...

The Hiri expeditions were large-scale. As many as 20 multi-hulled canoes or lakatoi, crewed by some 600 men, carried about 20,000 clay pots on each journey. To the Motuans, the Hiri was not only an economic enterprise but they also confirmed their identity as a tribe because of the long and dangerous voyages. These voyages are commemorated in modern times by the annual Hiri Moale Festival held at Ela Beach in September.

Colonisation

Queensland raises the British flag at Port Moresby 1883

The area was already an important trade centre by the time Captain John Moresby of HMS Basilisk first identified the area of the site later to become known as Port Moresby. The Englishman had just ventured through the Coral Sea at the eastern end of New Guinea and upon encountering three previously unknown islands landed there. At 10 o’clock in the morning of 20 February, 1873, he claimed the land for Britain and named it after his father, Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby. He called the inner reach "Fairfax Harbour" and the other Port Moresby. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1429x2146, 2937 KB) Raising of British flag on New Guinea (papua) - annexed by Queensland in 1883. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1429x2146, 2937 KB) Raising of British flag on New Guinea (papua) - annexed by Queensland in 1883. ... Son of Fairfax Moresby who named Papua New Guineas capital Port Moresby after him. ... Woodblock print of a basilisk from Ulisse Aldrovandi, Monstrorum historia, 1642 Cityseal of Zwolle from 1295 with Saint-Michael killing a basilisk In European bestiaries and legends, a basilisk (from the Greek βασιλίσκος basiliskos, a little king, in Latin Regulus) is a legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and... Map of the Coral Sea Islands A political map of the South Pacific. ...

Actual European settlement of the site did not occur until a decade later when the southeastern part of New Guinea island was annexed to British Empire. British New Guinea was passed to the newly established Commonwealth of Australia in 1906, and became known as Papua. From then until 1941 Port Moresby grew slowly. The main growth was on the peninsula, where port facilities and other services were gradually improved. Electricity was introduced in 1925 and piped water supply was provided in 1941. The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ...

World War II and after

The original flag of the capital

The current NCD flag

During World War II, many Papuan people returned to their villages or were evacuated to camps far from Port Moresby when the threat of Japanese invasion loomed. The city was home to an important Allied base and thousands of troops were stationed in the area as the last allied bastion on the island and last defense between the Japanese onslaught and Australia. This key role resulted in it becoming the objective of a Japanese invasion fleet in May 1942 that was stopped by the Battle of Coral Sea. Many Papuan men were enlisted as carriers for supply support to Allied armies. As a result, villages in the Port Moresby area fell into disrepair and after the war, Port Moresby had to be reconstructed. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_NCD.svg‎ File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_NCD.svg‎ File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Papua_New_Guinea. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Battle of the Coral Sea Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date May 4 – May 8, 1942 Place Coral Sea, between Australia, New Guinea, and the United States, Japan Commanders Frank Jack Fletcher Shigeyoshi Inoue Strength 2 large carriers, 3 cruisers 2 large carriers, 1 small carrier, 4 cruisers... This article is about the independent states that comprised the Allies. ...

In 1945, the Territory of Papua and New Guinea was formed when Papua and the former German New Guinea, which had been administered by Australia since 1918, were amalgamated under a single Australian Administration. Port Moresby became regarded as the capital of the combined territory and a focal point for the expansion of public services.

Capital city of an independent PNG

In September 1975, Port Moresby became capital city of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. New government buildings were constructed at Waigani to house government departments, including a spectacular National Parliament Building, which opened in 1984 and blends traditional design with modern building technology. The PNG National Museum and National Library are also located at Waigani. Waigani is a suburb of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. ... Waigani is a suburb of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. ...

Unfortunately, several of these government buildings have now been abandoned due to long-term neglect. Chief amongst these are Marea Haus (known to most locals as the "Pineapple Building") and the Central Government Offices. Nearby buildings such as Morauta Haus and Vulupindi Haus are now starting to show significant signs of decay due to a lack of maintenance, including crumbling fire stairs, grimy restrooms and elevators that are always out of service.

The population of the Port Moresby area has expanded rapidly since independence. In 1980 the census registered 120,000; by 1990, this had increased to 195,000.

The city is often covered by a smoke haze that is created by the numerous small fires lit beside the road or in the bush by its inhabitants. These are left to burn out without intervention by the local fire department.

In 2004, Port Moresby was ranked the worst place in the world to live in the Economist Intelligence Unit's ranking of 130 of the world's capital cities. High levels of rape, robbery and murder and large areas of the city controlled by gangs of thugs, known locally as "raskols," were cited. According to a 2004 article in the Guardian newspaper, unemployment rates are estimated to be between 60 and 90% and murder rates three times that of Moscow and 23 times the rate in London.^[2]. A similar survey published in April 2007 by Mercer Consulting, however, named Baghdad as the worst place to live. ^[3] Raskol gangs are gangs in Papua New Guinea, primarily in the larger cities (including Port Moresby and Lae). ... The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...

Regions and suburbs

Port Moresby City from space

Port Moresby refers to both the urbanised area of the National Capital District and more specifically to the main business area, known locally as "Town". Other neighbourhoods of Port Moresby include: Koki, with its popular fresh produce market, Newtown, Konedobu, Kaevaga, Badili, Gabutu, Kila, Matirogo, Three Mile, Kaugere, Sabama, Korobosea, Four Mile, Hohola, Hohola North, Boroko, a major shopping area, Gordon, Gordon North, Erima, Saraga, Waigani, Morata and Gerehu. There are also villages like Hanuabada, the biggest village in Papua New Guinea. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 729 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (796 × 655 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 729 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (796 × 655 pixel, file size: 1. ... Konedobu is a suburb of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. ... Waigani is a suburb of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. ... Hanuabada is the biggest village in Papua New Guinea although it now more like a suburb of Port Moresby. ...

Transport

Port Moresby is served by Jacksons International Airport. Air Niugini (the national airline of Papua New Guinea), and airlines of PNG all fly into Jacksons. Jacksons is served internationally by flights to Brisbane, Cairns, Honiara, Manila, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo with Air Niugini. As the national highways system is discontinuous, there are many internal flights to other towns which cannot be reached by minibuses, known as PMVs locally, e.g. Madang. Jacksons International Airport (IATA: POM, ICAO: AYPY), also known as Port Moresby Airport, it is located 5 miles (8 kilometres) outside Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea. ... Air Niugini Limited is the national airline of Papua New Guinea, based in Port Moresby. ... For other uses, see Brisbane (disambiguation). ... “Cairns” redirects here. ... Honiara, population 49,107 (1999), is the capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a separately administered town. ... Nickname: Motto: Linisin Ikarangal Maynila Map of Metro Manila showing the location of Manila Coordinates: 14°35 N 121° E Country Region Districts 1st to 6th districts of Manila Barangays 897 Incorporated (city) June 10, 1574 Government  - Mayor Alfredo Lim (2007-2010; GO)  - Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (AM/PDP-Laban... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ... For other uses, see Tokyo (disambiguation). ... Air Niugini Limited is the national airline of Papua New Guinea, based in Port Moresby. ...

Images

Twin towns

• Jinan, People's Republic of China (Province Shandong) since September 28th, 1988
• Townsville, Australia (Queensland) since 1983

Associated town: Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... For the South Korean county of the same name, see Jinan County. ...   (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Shan-tung) is a coastal province of eastern Peoples Republic of China. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... ‎ The Strand CBD from Museum of Tropical Queensland, features Castle Hill in background Townsville (Postcodes: 4810-4819) is an urban centre on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd...

• Jayapura, Indonesia (Province Papua)

Image File history File links Flag_of_Indonesia. ... A workers mural in Jayapura, Indonesia Jayapura City (Indonesian: Kota Jayapura) is the capital of Papua province, Indonesia, on the island of New Guinea. ... Papua is a province of Indonesia comprising a majority part of the western half of the island of New Guinea and nearby islands (see also Western New Guinea). ...

Footnotes

The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. ...

References

• Burke, Andrew; et al. (May 2005). Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, 7, Lonely Planet. 

External links

• http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/about_destin/port_moresby.html
• http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/about_destin/portmoresbytown.html

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Papua New Guinea is divided into twenty provinces (capitals in parentheses): North Solomons (Bougainville) (Arawa) Central (Port Moresby) Chimbu (Kundiawa) Eastern Highlands (Goroka) East New Britain (Rabaul) East Sepik (Wewak) Enga (Webag) Gulf (Kerema) Madang (Mandang) Manus (Lorengau) Milne Bay (Milne Bay) Morobe (Lae) National Capital District (Port Moresby) New... Image File history File links Flag_of_Papua_New_Guinea. ... Alotau is the capital of Milne Bay Province, a province of Papua New Guinea. ... Milne Bay is a province of Papua New Guinea. ... The city of Arawa, and the port of Kieta, from space Arawa is the disputed capital and largest settlement in Bougainville Province in Papua New Guinea. ... Buka Township, with Sohano Island (Bottom left) and Buka Airport Situated on Buka Island, Buka is the war capital of Bougainville Province, Papua New Guinea. ... Location of North Solomons (Bougainville) Province in Papua New Guinea Bougainville and neighbouring islands The Bougainville Province, also known as North Solomons Province, is an autonomous province in Papua New Guinea and is the largest of the Solomon Islands group. ... Daru is the name of an island in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea, the town on the island goes by the same name and is the capital of the Province. ... Location of Western Province in Papua New Guinea Western Province is a coastal province in southwestern Papua New Guinea, bordering the Indonesian province of Papua. ... Goroka is a town in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. ... Location of Eastern Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea Eastern Highlands is a highlands province of Papua New Guinea. ... Kavieng is the capital of the Papua New Guinean province of New Ireland and the largest town on the island of the same name. ... Location of New Ireland Province in Papua New Guinea New Ireland Province, formerly New Mecklenburg (German: ) is the most northeastern province of Papua New Guinea. ... Kerema is a capital of Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. ... Gulf Province is a province of Papua New Guinea located on the southern coast. ... Kimbe is the capital of the province of West New Britain in Papua New Guinea. ... West New Britain is a province of Papua New Guinea on the islands of New Britain. ... Kokopo is the capital of East New Britain in Papua New Guinea. ... East New Britain is a province of Papua New Guinea. ... Kundiawa is the capital, and only town of note, in Chimbu prefecture with a population of about 5,000. ... Location of Simbu (Chimbu) Province in Papua New Guinea Simbu, formerly known as Chimbu, is a highland province in Papua New Guinea. ... Lae is the second largest city of Papua New Guinea with a population of approx 120,000. ... Morobe Province is a province on the northern coast of Papua New Guinea. ... Lorengau beach on Seeadler harbour Lorengau (2°10 S, 147°160 E) is the capital of the Manus Province of Papua New Guinea. ... Location of Manus Province in Papua New Guinea Manus Province is the smallest province in Papua New Guinea with a land area of 2100km², but with more than 220,000km² of water. ... Madang Lighthouse Madang (old German name: Friedrich-Wilhelmshafen) is the capital of Madang Province and is a town with a population of 27,420 (in 2005) on the north coast of Papua New Guinea. ... Location of Madang Province in Papua New Guinea Madang has many of Papua New Guineas highest peaks, its most active volcanos, and its biggest mix of languages (175). ... Mendi, Papua New Guinea, is the provincial capital of the Southern Highlands Province, and is also the name of one of the seven districts of that province. ... Location of Southern Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea Southern Highlands is a province in Papua New Guinea. ... The plane, Canberra, before the 1933 expedition to Mount Hagen This article is about the city. ... Location of Western Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea Western Highlands is a province of Papua New Guinea. ... Popondetta is the capital of Oro (Northern) Province in Papua New Guinea. ... Oro Province, formerly Northern Province, is a coastal province of Papua New Guinea. ... Location of Central Province in Papua New Guinea Central Province is a province in Papua New Guinea located on the southern coast of that country. ... Location of the National Capital District in Papua New Guinea The National Capital District of Papua New Guinea is the incorporated area around Port Moresby, which is the capital of Papua New Guinea. ... Wabag is a capital of Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. ... Enga refers to both an ethnic group located in the highlands Papua New Guinea and the province in which they are the majority ethnic group. ... Wewak is the capital of the East Sepik region of Papua New Guinea. ... East Sepik is a province in Papua New Guinea. ... Vanimo town from the air Vanimo is the capital of Sandaun province in Papua New Guinea. ... Sandaun Province, formerly known as West Sepik, is the north-westernmost province of Papua New Guinea. ...