Basic Information
Papua New Guinea’s official name is the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, making it one of the longest country names in the world!
Papua New Guinea - Facts for Kids
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Facts About Papua New Guinea For Kids
The capital city of Papua New Guinea is Port Moresby, which sits right next to the ocean and has over 400,000 people living there!
Papua New Guinea has over 10 million people, which is like having everyone from New York City plus nearly 2 million more friends all living in one country!
Papua New Guinea is just north of Australia, so close that from some tiny islands, you can actually see it across the sea!
People in Papua New Guinea speak about 840 languages — more than any other country on Earth!
Papua New Guinea has four official languages, but most people speak Tok Pisin — a mix of English and local words used in everyday life!
Papua New Guinea uses money called the “kina,” named after a beautiful shell that people used to trade with long ago!
Papua New Guinea is a democracy where people vote for their leaders, just like many other countries around the world!
The Papua New Guinea flag has five stars representing the Southern Cross constellation and a bird of paradise in bright colors!
Papua New Guinea’s national bird is the Raggiana bird-of-paradise, which has the most amazing colorful feathers that look like a rainbow!
Geography & Nature
Papua New Guinea is the third‑largest island nation in the world — after Indonesia and Madagascar. At nearly 460,000 km², it’s actually bigger than the entire U.S. state of California!
Papua New Guinea shares the big island of New Guinea with Indonesia. PNG is on the east side, and Indonesia is on the west — just like two countries sharing the same awesome island home!
Papua New Guinea has a tropical climate, so it’s warm and humid most of the year — like living in a giant greenhouse! But in the mountains, it can get cool, especially at night!
Papua New Guinea has over 600 small islands scattered around its main island, like puzzle pieces floating in the ocean!
The highest mountain in Papua New Guinea is Mount Wilhelm, which reaches 14,793 feet high — that’s almost 3 miles (5 km) straight up!
Papua New Guinea sits on the “Ring of Fire,” an area with lots of volcanoes and earthquakes around the Pacific Ocean!
Papua New Guinea has snow-capped mountains high in the clouds and sunny tropical beaches by the sea — like winter and summer living in the same country!
Papua New Guinea’s coastline stretches for 3,201 miles, which is longer than driving from New York to California!
The Sepik River in Papua New Guinea is 700 miles (1,127 km) long and winds through the jungle like a giant snake!
Amazing Animals & Plants
Papua New Guinea is home to tree kangaroos that actually climb trees instead of hopping on the ground!
Papua New Guinea has over 38 different species of birds-of-paradise, each with more colorful feathers than the last!
Papua New Guinea has butterflies as big as dinner plates, including the Queen Alexandra’s birdwing with wings nearly 11 inches (28 cm) wide!
In Papua New Guinea, saltwater crocodiles can grow as long as 20 feet — that’s longer than a tall giraffe stretched out, and bigger than a mini‑bus!
The forests of Papua New Guinea are home to tiny sugar gliders that can glide through the air like flying squirrels!
Papua New Guinea has over 20,000 different plant species, including orchids that grow right on tree branches!
Papua New Guinea’s rainforests are so thick that scientists discover new animal species there nearly every year!
Papua New Guinea has cassowaries, giant flightless birds that can run about 30 miles per hour (around 50 km/h) and are taller than most adults!
Some frogs in Papua New Guinea are so tiny they could sit on your thumbnail, while others are as big as a softball!
Papua New Guinea’s coral reefs are home to over 2,200 different types of fish, creating underwater rainbow cities!
Culture & Traditions
Papua New Guinea has over 1,000 different cultural groups, each with their own cool traditions, songs, dances, and stories!
Traditional clothing in Papua New Guinea includes amazing headdresses made from bird feathers, shells, and colorful beads!
People in Papua New Guinea make incredible masks and costumes for special ceremonies that look like mythical creatures!
Traditional dancing in Papua New Guinea tells stories about ancestors, animals, and important events through movement!
Many Papua New Guinea cultures believe that spirits live in the forest and must be respected and honored!
Traditional art in Papua New Guinea includes beautiful wood carvings that can take months to complete by hand!
Some Papua New Guinea tribes build their houses on stilts high above the water or ground for protection!
Traditional music in Papua New Guinea uses drums made from tree trunks and instruments made from bamboo!
Many Papua New Guinea cultures pass down their history through songs and stories instead of writing them down!
People in Papua New Guinea weave beautiful baskets and bilum bags from strong plant fibers that can last for years!
Food & Daily Life
In Papua New Guinea, sweet potatoes (called kaukau) are the most important food — and many families eat them almost every day, especially in the Highlands.
Papua New Guinea grows some of the world’s best coffee beans in the highlands where it’s cool and misty!
Many Papua New Guinea families cook their food in earth ovens, burying it underground with hot stones!
Children in Papua New Guinea often help their families by fishing, gardening, and taking care of younger siblings!
Traditional Papua New Guinea meals include fresh fish, tropical fruits, and vegetables grown in family gardens!
Many Papua New Guinea families live in villages where everyone knows each other and helps take care of the community!
In Papua New Guinea, some kids walk miles and miles through rainforest — crossing rivers, climbing hills, and trekking for hours — just to reach their school each day!
Families in Papua New Guinea often sit on mats to share meals, eating with their hands or simple tools like spoons made from bamboo or coconut!
Coconuts are so important in Papua New Guinea that families use them for food, drinks, oil, and building materials!
