Is in Indian Ocean north of the Australian continent. It is usually referred to as Oceania. However, New Guinea is almost equally divided by the vertical border. The western part belongs to Indonesia, and the right part belongs to the state of Papua New Guinea. Therefore, its western part is often referred to as Asia. The nearest neighbors in the north are the Moluccas, in the east - the island of New Britain, and in the south - Australia. By itself, the island of New Guinea is simply huge. It is the second largest island in the world, only Greenland is bigger than it. There are many small islands around New Guinea. Some of them are inhabited by natives, others are deserted.
Nature and climate of the island of New Guinea
On the island, the flat terrain is replaced by mountain ranges. In the western part stretches an array called Maoke. Its highest peak, Punchak Jaya, almost reaches a height of 4.9 km above sea level. The Bismarck Mountains in the east are only slightly inferior in scope and height. Mount Wilhelm has a height of about 4.5 km above sea level.
Proximity to the equator and remoteness from civilization made this island a real corner of the wild. Researchers count here about 11 thousand species of plants, hundreds of species of animals and insects. There is a place on the island called the Garden of Eden. It was discovered only in 2005. The Garden of Eden is a site in the western part of New Guinea, it covers an area of 300,000 hectares. Its location has allowed the Garden of Eden to remain isolated until recently. The researchers found here many species of frogs, butterflies and plants, about which science knew nothing at all. To their surprise, they found here the so-called "bird of paradise", which was considered extinct, and the rarest mammal - tree kangaroo.
In the south and north of New Guinea, the climate is different. Northern part lies in the equatorial belt, the southern - in the subequatorial. The hottest weather is usually on the coast and small islands. In the north of the island, the climate is uniform throughout the year. During the day the air temperature is about +30ºС, at night it drops to about +24ºС. In southern New Guinea, the seasons vary more. In summer the weather is about the same as in the north. During the winter period, which lasts from May to September, the temperature during the day is about +28ºС, and at night - about 22ºС. If you do not tolerate heat well, it is better to choose central or mountainous areas. There the air temperature is always lower by 7-10 degrees. At high altitudes at night the air temperature can drop to +6ºС. Therefore, you will have to take care of warm clothes.
Humidity on the island is different everywhere. Moreover, it is never possible to guess where the rains will be more and where it will be less. The rainy season usually lasts from December to March. However, during the summer, showers are not uncommon here. Especially often they go on small islands off the coast of New Guinea.
Landmarks and population of New Guinea
Going on vacation to New Guinea, do not expect to see a lot of cultural monuments. There are no majestic architectural structures, famous poets and painters were not born here. But the island itself is amazing. It fascinates with its wild tropical nature. And a separate point is the local population. Scattered throughout New Guinea are traditional villages inhabited by natives who have preserved their ancient culture.
An interesting attraction of Papua New Guinea is the Giluwe Volcano. It has two peaks at once, and on its slopes stretch alpine meadows. It is the highest volcano in all of Oceania and Australia. Its height is about 4.4 km above sea level. Giluwe Peak was first climbed by two Australians, Mick and Dan Leahy. Nowadays, tourists are invited to repeat the expedition of the Leahy brothers and climb to the very mouth of the volcano. The view from the top is simply fantastic.
Another interesting place is the settlement of Cook. It was named after the famous discoverer, sailor James Cook, who made many journeys and made a significant contribution to the study of the life of the population of Australia and Oceania. The settlement of Cook is also called the Cook Marshes, which are located in the Waghi Valley, at an altitude of 1.5 km above sea level. Thanks to archaeological excavations, it became known that many thousands of years ago local tribes mastered the art of agriculture. The findings of the researchers made it possible to compile a complete picture of the life of the natives - how they moved from gathering to agriculture and cattle breeding. As early as 4,000 years ago, they had a developed drainage system that allowed them to supply moisture to the soil.
The city of Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, is also worth seeing. It is located on a peninsula protruding into the sea. At its tip is the historic center of the city, which the locals call the Town. There is also a high hill of Paga, from the top of which a wonderful view of the whole city opens. In Port Mosby you can see buildings built at the end of the 19th century. Of particular interest in terms of architecture is the united Church of Ella and the Houses of Parliament. The appearance of the city is very diverse. Here you can see old huts on stilts next to high-rise office buildings made of concrete and glass. You can learn about the history and culture of the country at the National Museum, which is located in the city center. Ports Mosby is home to the National Botanic Park. Plants from all over the country are collected here. It is worth paying attention to the exposition, made in the form of a map of Papua New Guinea. The plants on it are planted in such a way that they reflect the peculiarities of the flora of each corner of the country. Here you can see a huge collection of orchids. You will travel between lianas and tropical thickets on wooden decks, enjoying the beauty and aromas of these exotic flowers. In addition, many tropical birds and some animals live in the botanical park. Couscous and tree kangaroos always delight and delight tourists. These are completely safe and very cute little animals.
Only its colorful population can compare with the beauties of the nature of New Guinea. To get acquainted with the life and culture of the brightest and most unusual tribes, you need to go to eastern part islands - Papua New Guinea. It is here that the Papuans live - the natives who live outside of civilization for thousands of years. Of course, gradually the tribes adapt to modern world. If women and men wear traditional straw skirts or prefer nudity, then children can already be seen wearing cloth shorts or jeans. It is impossible to say something definite about the tribes. The fact is that about 7 million people live here. At the same time, the researchers found about 850 different languages and dialects and the same number of ethnic groups, each of which has its own unique culture, beliefs and traditions. The most numerous tribe of Dani occupies an area in central area islands. Their settlements are open to tourists. Here you can learn about the traditions of the tribe, including cannibalism and wars with neighboring villages. You will be shown local crafts, Papuan outfits and even ancient mummies. An extremely unusual sight.
If you want to get acquainted with all the tribes at once, you should visit one of the festivals of Papua New Guinea, where the natives represent their culture, dressing up in the craziest and brightest outfits and performing traditional songs and ritual dances. The biggest holiday is the Independence Day of Papua New Guinea. On the eve of this day, the Goroka festival is held. It is here that you can see hundreds of representatives of various tribes. Their bodies are painted in the wildest colors, their necks are hung with massive shell necklaces, and their heads are crowned with headdresses richly decorated with tropical bird feathers, dry plants, bones and other natural materials. It is worth visiting the Goroka festival once, and the impressions will last for the rest of your life.
Posted by Fly Hunting Tue, 22/10/2013 - 01:46Cards
Yandex maps
Google MapsPerhaps one of the best places around the world for holidays: Papua New Guinea
A small state in Oceania, Papua New Guinea, is located in the eastern part island of the same name New Guinea. In addition to the main - island - part, the country also has its own possessions on smaller, neighboring islands. These islands include, for example, New Britain or New Ireland, as well as some other territories. Pacific Ocean and its seas (the Arafura Sea and the Coral Sea) wash Papua New Guinea from different parts of the world.
The name of the state comes from the Malay word "Papua", which in translation means "people with curly hair". The fact is that the Malays have mostly straight hair, while the local Papua residents have really curly hair. The second part of the name of the country - "New Guinea"- arose thanks to the Europeans, or rather the Portuguese sailors, who considered the skin color of the local aborigines to be similar to the skin color of the inhabitants of Guinea in Africa.
The country has changed many times official name. So, for example, from 1884 to 1906 it was called British New Guinea, and later - from 1906 to 1949 - it was simply called "Papua» as part of Australia.
In addition, the country was divided into southern and northern: from 1884 to 1920 in the north there was a so-called German New Guinea . Only since 1949, the Australian colony "Papua"and the colony" New Guinea” united into one province, now known as Papua and New Guinea, and starting in 1975, Papua New Guinea became a new independent state.
Photos of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea Tourism
Holidays in Papua New Guinea are quite new not only for Russians, but also for many people from other countries of the world. Nevertheless, the country has a huge number of attractions, as well as types of recreation. Here you can enjoy the local culture or visit a variety of markets and festivals, and diving and surfing are popular sports, as well as hiking in nature. Even fishing in Papua New Guinea is notable for its diverse and often unique flora and fauna.
Every year more than 70,000 tourists from all over the world come to Papua. The cultural traditions of Papua New Guinea are very diverse: the fact that there are more than 800 languages in the country speaks volumes. Among the local cultural traditions, local carvings and national dances stand out. You can also enjoy folk singing, as well as all kinds of decorations and architecture of Papua - and all of the above will vary greatly throughout the country.
Festivals and public holidays held regularly in Papua New Guinea. In May, tourists can visit the Coffee Festival or " Festivalin Goroka”, the National Mask Festival, which takes place in July, various shows and festival programs in August and September, and the Canoe Festival in October and November.
The most famous hiking trail in Papua New Guinea is Kokoda ( Kokoda), which takes place in the places of the Second World War, where there were battles between Australia and Japan. Another popular trail is climbing Mount Wilhelm, the highest mountain in Papua New Guinea. There are many more in the country hiking trails, including very complex ones.
Diving and surfing in Papua New Guinea
Papua is perhaps one of the best diving destinations in the world! It is here that some of the best coral reefs on the planet are located. In addition to the huge variety of places with reefs, there are also numerous places with ships and even planes destroyed in the Second World War. Papua New Guinea can rightly provide diving for every taste. Some of the best dive sites in the west of the country are: Kimby Bay ( Kimbe Bay), Caving ( Kavieng) and Madang ( madang), Alotau ( Alotau) and Tufi ( Tufi), as well as Rabaul. The capital city of Port Moresby also offers excellent diving opportunities. It is worth noting that many diving sites are very easy to reach.
Enjoy surfing in Papua New Guinea all year round! In the south of the country there are such places as: Hula Beach (about 100 kilometers from Port Moresby) and Milne Bay, as well as Bougainville ( bougainville) and some others. Here you can surf from June to September, but in the north of the country the surfing season starts from mid-October and lasts until the very end of April. In the north, it is worth noting such places as: Madang ( madang) and Caving ( Kavieng), as well as a place with, perhaps, the best wave– Vanimo ( Vanimo).
Papua New Guinea - country unique nature, sets of original ethnic groups with amazing story and traditions formed as a result of migrations from the Asian mainland to the islands of Australia and Oceania about a century ago. This land is a land of wild unexplored nature, a variety of creatures of the living world, humid jungles, waterfalls, cold mountainous areas, centuries-old swamps, ancient coral reefs, limestone cliffs, grassy plains, thousands of species of exotic plants and unique animals, insects and birds.
The name "Papua" comes from the Malay word "papuva", which in translation into Russian means "curly" (according to another version, from "orang papua" - "curly black-headed man"). This name was given to the island of New Guinea by the Portuguese Menezes in 1526, noting the shape of the hair of the locals. In 1545, Iñigo Ortiz de Retes visited the island and gave it the name "New Guinea", because, in his opinion, the locals were similar to the natives of Guinea in Africa (he may have seen the similarity of the coasts of the new island and African Guinea).
The country was inhabited by immigrants from the Asian mainland more than 50 thousand years ago. Numerous waves of migration that swept through the territory of the islands on the way to Australia and the islands of Oceania formed here many unique ethnic groups, whose isolation from each other further emphasized their identity.
From the beginning of European colonization until independence, the country changed its official name several times. The southeastern part was called British New Guinea in 1884-1906, and Papua (under Australian control) in 1906-1949. The northeastern part was first a colony of Germany and in 1884-1920 was called German New Guinea (since 1914 under the control of Australia), and in 1920-1949, according to the decision of the League of Nations, it was renamed the Territory of New Guinea, mandated by Australia. In 1949, the two Australian colonies were united into one - the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. In 1972, the province was renamed the Territory of Papua New Guinea. Since 1975, the name Papua New Guinea has become the official name for the newly independent state.
Today, Papua New Guinea is a virtually unknown land of wild and unexplored land, a country of harsh conditions and unique nature. On this piece of land, only slightly larger than Germany and the Benelux countries combined, such a variety of living creatures and natural complexes is concentrated that they can be compared, perhaps, with all of Eurasia. Suffocating areas of wet jungle give way to cold mountainous regions, centuries-old swamps lie next to equally ancient coral reefs, and jagged limestone cliffs adjoin the plains overgrown with emerald green grass. Plus hundreds of unique tribes and peoples with their own traditions and amazing history, thousands of species of exotic plants and many dozens of species of unique animals, from tiny tree kangaroos or birds of paradise to huge butterflies. It is this diversity, which has remained completely untouched by man for so long, that attracts thousands of researchers, anthropologists and travelers here.
Port Moresby
Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea. The population of Port Moresby is 200 thousand people. The city is inhabited mainly by Papuans and Melanesians, speaking, depending on belonging to a particular tribe, more than 700 languages and dialects, including about 200 Austronesian and about 500 Papuan. Quite a significant part of the population is represented by Australians and Europeans. More than half of the Chinese who immigrated to Papua New Guinea are residents of the capital, but in general their numbers are not significant. In 1873, the English navigator John Moresby landed in the southeastern part of the island of New Guinea. Exploring the coast, he discovered a rather cozy bay, which he named Port Moresby, in honor of his father, Admiral Fairfax Moresby. Years later, a city grew up in the bay, which retained its name.
In 1884, Port Moresby, along with the entire southeastern part of the island of New Guinea, became part of British New Guinea, which is an English colony. In 1906, the colony was transferred to Australia and became known as the Territory of Papua. In 1949, after the unification of the northeastern part of New Guinea with Papua, Port Moresby became part of a new administrative unit, called Papua New Guinea. In 1964, a general election was held in the country, as a result of which a legislative assembly was formed, where the majority of the seats were taken by the natives. The laws that infringed on the rights of the Melanesians ceased to operate. Also in 1964, the University of Papua New Guinea opened in Port Moresby. The city gradually became the main Cultural Center countries.
The historic center of Port Moresby, which the inhabitants of the city call the Town, is located on a peninsula protruding into the sea. From the Paga hill located at its tip, whose height reaches 100 meters above sea level, opens full review to the city. Along north coast Town stretched out the port. On south coast Ella Beach Park is located. In the central part of the Town, buildings erected in late XIX century. the oldest architectural monument The city is considered to be the united church of Ella, built in 1890. Most of the government buildings and institutions are located in the northern part of the city. The building of parliament, built in 1984, also rises here, and also houses a large sports complex, created in the late 1980s specifically for the 1991 South Pacific Games held in Port Mersby. The city is home to the main institution of higher education in the country - the university.
Not far from the parliament building is National Museum, the exposition of which presents the richest materials on the nature, ethnography, culture and history of Papua New Guinea. This is truly the spiritual center of the rich and diverse heritage of the country. The museum has been operating for a long time and so far its collection includes 30 thousand anthropological exhibits, 18 thousand natural science exhibits, 25 thousand archaeological exhibits, about 7 thousand works of art representing the present time and 20 thousand military relics.
The National Museum is located in the capital of Papua and New Guinea in Port Moresby. The museum is a whole complex consisting of several rooms, which are located in different parts of the city. The main building of the National Museum is located in the Waigani area. This room presents to the attention of visitors a lot of exhibits, which are located in five galleries, namely: Independence Gallery, Masterpiece Gallery, Life and Earth, Sir A. Mann Gallery, Sir M. Somare Gallery. The exposition of the galleries corresponds to the name of each of them, let's take a closer look at what can be seen in the galleries of the National Museum.
The Independence Gallery contains traditional Guinean household items: fishing tackle, canoes, clay dishes and other kitchen items, everyday and ceremonial clothes, shopping bags, which are called “bilums” in Papua New Guinea, as well as national musical instruments.
The Gallery of Masterpieces presents a variety of objects of aesthetic or religious significance: jewelry, objects of power passed from one ruler to another, masks, and the like. "Life and Earth" - a gallery that reflects the most ancient history Papua and New Guinea. It depicts the life and way of life of the first settlements in the country, which, according to historians and archaeologists, appeared here about 50 thousand years ago.
The Sir Alan Mann Gallery is home to temporary exhibitions that are regularly exhibited at the National Museum. The Sir Michael Somare Gallery showcases new arrivals. This gallery appeared relatively recently, in 1986, and got its name in honor of the country's first prime minister. The first exhibits are gifts received by Somara from representatives of various states of the world during his reign.
Of interest is also the central courtyard of the museum, which houses a picturesque small park. In the park you can see many live birds and animals, a small theater, an amphitheater.
The National Botanical Park - one of the main attractions of Papua and New Guinea - is also located in Port Moresby. Here are plants from different regions of Papua and New Guinea. This became possible thanks to natural conditions Port Moresby, where, despite the dry climate, you can grow plants from all regions of the country. One of the corners of the National Botanical Park is made in the form of a map of the country, and the plants that form this map are arranged in such a way that they reflect the flora of the corresponding region of Papua New Guinea. The park has a unique and largest natural collection of orchids in the southern hemisphere. There are about three thousand species of them. Your journey through the park will be absolutely harmless to plants, since boardwalks and hanging trails are laid here for movement right under a canopy of trees, the total length of these roads is approximately two kilometers.
In addition, the National Botanical Park is a real bird's paradise. Here are collected birds of paradise that live only in Papua and New Guinea, Australia and the adjacent islands. Don't miss the chance to listen to these amazing birds. Also, the park is home to animals traditional for Papua New Guinea: couscous, pygmy kangaroo and many others.
Varirata National Park is the first national park in the country. It is located about 42 km from the capital of the country, Port Moresby. Varirata National Park was founded in 1963 and covers an area of more than a thousand hectares. Initially, the territory now occupied by the park was a hunting ground for the leaders of the tribes. In memory of those times in national park left "tree-house" - an object cult purpose the Koyaris tribe. Today Varirata National Park is a protected site.
The climate of the region where the park is located is tropical, that is, two seasons are clearly distinguished: wet and dry, which contributes to the growth of traditional local plants, of which there are a lot. Varirata National Park is extremely beautiful place. In addition to the fact that the park itself has a wooded savannah, tropical forests, a variety of grassy vegetation and gallery forests, the park is surrounded by extraordinary landscapes: the Sogeri plateau and mountain range Astrolab. In addition, in Varirata Park, a beautiful panoramic view on Port Moresby. It is very difficult to get lost in the park, despite its large area as all trails are marked.
If we talk in more detail about the vegetation in the Varirata National Park, then ferns, reeds, bamboos, orchids, eucalyptus, traditional for Papua and New Guinea, prevail here. In complete freedom, the park is home to many species of birds, including white cockatoos and other parrots, bowerbirds, birds of paradise. In the rainforests and savannas of the park, you can meet a variety of fauna: green python, amethyst python, deer, couscous, wallaby, bandicoot, many colorful butterflies and others.
Gardens of Eden
A few years ago (in 2006), an expedition of scientists from several countries (Australia, the USA, Indonesia) discovered a truly amazing phenomenon for the present time - an isolated tropical forest without any signs of civilization, in which there was not even a single small path. The expedition was led by scientist Bruce Beeler. Such a “miracle” was discovered on the island of New Guinea, in its western part, at an altitude of about two thousand meters in the Foya mountains. This amazing tropical forest covers an area of 809 thousand hectares. Even for the locals (and the elders of two Papuan tribes accompanied the scientific expedition), the isolated tropical forest became a discovery. This is truly a heavenly place, for which it got its name - the Gardens of Eden.
The ecosystem of the Gardens, formed and existing without any intervention, is amazingly beautiful and sometimes unusual. Here the best way the life of the wild nature is presented, for which there are no obstacles and restrictions. There is hardly another place where you can see so many extraordinary beauty of exotic animals, birds and plants. In addition to the representatives of flora and fauna traditional for Papua New Guinea, during the expedition in the Gardens of Eden, about 20 new species of frogs, 4 species of butterflies, many flowers, including the world's largest rhododendron, previously unknown species of birds, in particular the honeyeater family, were discovered. Also in this amazing rainforest is the golden arboreal kangaroo, previously this species was considered extinct. It is also striking that most birds and animals are not afraid of people and sometimes even sit on their hands.
Cook settlement
On the territory of Papua and New Guinea, in addition to many natural and historical attractions, there is also an interesting archaeological site - the ancient agricultural settlement of Cook, also known as the Cook Swamps. This settlement is located in the region of Papua New Guinea - the Western Highlands, in the Wahgi Valley at an altitude of more than 1500 m above sea level. The most interesting archaeological monument covers an area of about 116 hectares. Excavations and research by archaeologists and historians on the territory ancient settlement have been carried out since the 1960s, and the beginning of these studies was laid by an archaeologist from Australia, Jack Golson. For almost half a century of excavations, many interesting things have been discovered and very curious facts have been established. Below is a little more about this.
The agricultural settlement of Cook reflects the development of agriculture in isolated conditions over 7-10 thousand years. This settlement was the main evidence of such a long history of agricultural activity in Papua New Guinea. Traces were found in this area, reflecting the transition from gathering to direct agriculture, to farming. Approximately in 2000 BC, the inhabitants of the settlement created a drainage system sufficiently developed for that time, all the channels that formed it were combined into a single network. If we talk more about agriculture, it should be noted that the cultivation in this settlement was mainly walnut and fruit trees, sugar cane, taro, yams, herbs, bananas, leafy vegetables and pasture crops. The Cook Marshes are the richest evidence of active and successful agricultural activity in New Caledonia.
Now on the territory of the ancient agricultural settlement of Kuka, the Kavelka Papuan tribe lives, which grows coffee, sweet potatoes and bananas. Thus, the tribe carefully preserves the heritage of their ancestors. In 2008, UNESCO listed the settlement of Cook as world heritage.
Mount Wilhelm
One of the main natural attractions of Papua and New Guinea is Mount Wilhelm. Its height is 4509 meters, it is the highest mountain in the country. Mount Wilhelm is located near the equator, but its top is covered with snow. Wilhelm Peak is part of the Bismarck Range, its peculiarity lies in the fact that there is a point of intersection of three provinces of Papua New Guinea: Madang, Chimbu and Western Highlands.
Among the Papuans, in their language, the mountain is better known as Enduva-Kombuglu. The Wilhelm Mountain got its name in 1888. Then one German correspondent climbed Mount Finisterre and named the mountain range in honor of the German chancellor - Bismarck. The four most high mountains The ridge was named after the chancellor himself and his three children: Ottoberg, Mariaberg, Wilhelmberg and Herbertberg (“berg” in German means “mountain”). However, the correspondent was mistaken about the very high peak, he considered Ottoberg as such, but in 1938 it was found that its height is 3540 meters, that is, almost a thousand meters less than Wilhelm Peak.
Mount Wilhelm is a witness to many historical events, in particular the Second World War. It is known that on May 22, 1944, an American aircraft, whose task was to photograph Fr. Padaidori in New Guinea crashed into a mountainside. Most of the fragments fell into the lake, located almost at the foot of Mount Wilhelm, but some parts of that aircraft can be seen today, for example, the wing.
Many people did not conquer Mount Wilhelm, moreover, the peak claimed more than one human life. A memorial plaque has been erected in memory of an Australian Army sergeant who fell down a steep slope in 1971 at the spot where he was last seen. In 1995, an Israeli tourist sprained his leg and fell behind his group, got lost as a result, then stumbled in the dark and fell into a gorge. In 2005, a member of the tourism board died of a heart attack while climbing Mount Wilhelm.
But, despite all this, Mount Wilhelm is the most accessible in Papua and New Guinea for climbing. There are two routes to climb to the top. The first, easier and shorter, from the village of Keglsoogl in Chimbu County, the route runs through tropical forests, past picturesque alpine meadows and glacial valleys, climbing this route will take a little more than three hours. The second route is more difficult and long, about four days, it originates in the village of Ambullua in the Western Highlands.
Source - http://www.intergid.ru/excursion/64/666/
http://ru.wikipedia.org/
Today we present you an article on the topic: "sights of new guinea" with full description where to go and what to see. We also offer interesting comments from travelers.
The main attractions of Papua New Guinea: overview and photos
The island of Papua New Guinea was first noted in the 16th century thanks to a navigator from Portugal who discovered it. Throughout its history, in the "paws" of civilization, the island has been repeatedly colonized, conquered, given to the management of other countries and mercilessly used it natural resources. Today, Papua New Guinea is a state with sovereignty and its own self-government.
Papua New Guinea is perhaps one of the cleanest places on the planet where the human hand has not yet had time to transform and modify the amazing nature of this island. This land is replete with the most exotic flora and fauna - we can say that these lands hold the record for the number of amazing species of animals and plants that so attract both tourists and biologists. Papua New Guinea has everything that is included in the universal concept of "heaven on earth": sandy golden beaches, mysterious jungles, transparent blue sea, whole colonies of coral polyps, dazzling sun and serious sheer cliffs which contrast nicely with the vibrant colors of nature.
Papua New Guinea annually attracts a decent number of tourists with its beauties and attractions. You will learn about the main and most famous of the attractions of this island below.
Although Mountain peaks For the most part, tourists associate with Sweden and Austria, Papua New Guinea can also surprise with its mountain ranges, cliffs and gorges. Of course, ski lovers will be disappointed - after all, there is very little snow on the top of Mount Wilhelm in New Guinea, which, however, does not diminish the interest of tourists in it.
This mountain is a real landmark of Papua New Guinea, which is associated with many significant events in world history and which has more than 4 thousand meters in height. There are two routes to climb it, differing in difficulty level. Mount Wilhelm is notable for its picturesqueness - its paths lead tourists past the exotic jungle, which frame its slopes with islands of lush vegetation.
Giluwe Volcano is a real giant of the Australian continent that appeared long before the start of the ice age. In terms of its height, the volcano is slightly inferior to Mount Wilhelm and has a vertical length of slightly less than 4.4 thousand meters.
Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea and perhaps its most amazing city. The entrance to Port Moresby begins at the sea harbor called "Fairfax". This capital is strikingly different from large and rich European cities - not because the number of skyscrapers in the city is minimized, but because of its stunning natural design.
Port Moresby is, as, indeed, all the cities of Papua New Guinea, part of a civilization with a harmonious inclusion of islands of nature into the bustle of the city - gardens, alleys, parks. From all sides the capital of Papua New Guinea is surrounded by forests and hills - they seem to carefully "hold" the city in their paws, bringing the necessary harmony and exoticism.
Undoubtedly, one of the most amazing places in Papua New Guinea is the settlement of Kuka - an ancient town on this moment half-hidden by the jungle. The settlement is an archaeological monument with an area of 116 hectares. It is known that the age of this settlement exceeds 5 thousand years, which makes this marshy and uneven terrain particularly attractive to archaeologists and scientists.
Despite the fact that the tribes living in this area several thousand years ago were far from science Ancient Greece, they created their own system for watering the "gardens", which looked like a branched grid. The ancient agricultural settlement of Cook has recently been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Only the word “fjord” is associated with the harsh nature of Norway, and we often have to be surprised when we come across this word, for example, in Papua New Guinea. Oddly enough, the island of Guinea does have fjords that have the same magnetism and beauty as in the country of the Vikings.
Amazing bays with steep cliffs, azure clear water and low skies - every year they attract a huge number of tourists who want not only to admire the natural landmark, but also to touch the warm (unlike the fjords of the northern countries) water, and if possible even swim.
Owen Stanley is one of the most famous and widely known sights. This ridge in a long chain, having a horizontal length of about 3 hundred km and a vertical length of about 3 thousand meters, passes through the island of New Guinea, originating in its southern part. Owen Stanley was opened at the end of the 19th century and has since become one of the hallmarks of the Guinean island.
Throughout Papua New Guinea, it is quite problematic to find a place free from the habitation of plants and animals, and this mountain range is no exception. Many species of plants grow on its rocks, holding onto rocky soil by their roots, while Owen Stanley itself is surrounded by tropical forests that stretch at its foot.
Sepik is the river of the Guinean island, which is the longest and most picturesque river of New Guinea. The Guineans are extremely proud of this natural landmark, because for the most part it supports and provides life on the island.
Sepik runs through almost the entire island, meandering and making interesting turns, having a length of more than 1.1 thousand km. For tourists, the river is interesting because its waters, although not crystal clear, are nevertheless very fertile, and the banks are picturesque. Sepik, like almost all of the nature of New Guinea, escaped the intervention of civilization. That is why the journey along it seems even more exciting, because in some places of its shores - whether it be a swampy area or a difficult jungle - a human foot has not even set foot.
The southern highlands are a whole system of mountain ranges, jungles, rainforests, cliffs, waterfalls and rivers. It is absolutely impossible to capture all its beauty during one excursion. It will take more than one day to enjoy amazing views that are more reminiscent of glossy paradise covers than reality. The southern highlands are the habitat of many peoples living according to the traditional way of life, which was formed several hundred years (and perhaps millennia) ago.
During excursions, you can get acquainted with some of them and even more closely feel the harmony that permeates the entire island with natural forces and life itself. Virtually unacquainted with civilization, the peoples of New Guinea are extremely amazing who can teach modern man much more than he thinks. Tours of the Southern Highlands include crystal waterfalls and breathtaking cliff views, lush rainforests and deep lakes.
Rabaul is a city that survived many tragic events in world history, witnessed the Second World War, saw the battles of local residents with conquerors and died, almost completely disappeared under the ashes of a volcano that woke up near the city.
Previously the most prosperous, most famous city of Papua New Guinea, at the moment Rabaul is only a dim echo of its former beauty, however, despite this, crowds of tourists annually begin their sightseeing routes with a visit to this city.
The world-famous Lake Kutubu is one of the most amazing pearls of Papua New Guinea. Kutubu is the second largest lake on the Guinean island, however, perhaps, despite this, it is the most “alive”.
In its depths live the rarest of the fish species on the planet, the habitat of which is limited only to the border of Lake Kutubu. The shores of the natural reservoir are decorated with colorful vegetation, in which many species of birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects have found shelter.
The locals are very proud of the lake and do everything to preserve its cleanliness, flora and fauna. Tourists wishing to see this attraction are waiting for several excursion routes that pass through the most attractive and Amazing places Kutubu.
Perhaps nowhere else in Papua New Guinea are there such suitable and well-designed conditions for outdoor activities. Numerous turbulent rivers passing between the rocks, waterfalls, coral lagoons fully justify a visit to the Duke of York.
On this island, interested tourists can taste the most different types water sports: canoeing, diving, windsurfing, surfing and more. This island seems to be created specifically for entertainment and will not let tourists who love leisure, get bored.
The Central District is one of the favorite places for tourists to visit because it can be called the "heart" of the wildlife of Papua New Guinea. It is here that the main and largest reserve of the island called Varirata is located. Also, the Central District is famous for its landscapes, the green lush forests of which are intersected by chains mountain gorges, waterfalls and rivers.
The Varirata nature reserve is visited annually a large number of tourists who are invariably delighted with many species of animals and exotic birds. There are many places in the Central District where anyone can find a vacation of interest: a tour of the Kokoda Trail, a walk along numerous beaches, resorts and much more.
A trip and vacation in Papua New Guinea is a great opportunity to spend a few days in beautiful and untouched nature. Tourists are amazed to see the rich fauna and flora, especially those travelers who are here for the first time. It looks like . Nature surprises with its thickets of sago palms, araucaria, wild-growing orchids, sugar cane and many others. Going to Papua New Guinea is like visiting the past.
A significant part of its territory has retained its originality, although a lot of time has passed. Experienced travelers say that time has stopped here.
Climatic features
Papua New Guinea has a tropical climate, but a large area has a humid climate. Temperatures vary slightly throughout the year.
The average temperature on the islands is approximately 26 degrees. The seasons differ in the amount of precipitation.
Seasons can be dry or rainy. At the same time, such seasons occur in different places in different months. by the most best time for travel is the time from May to September.
At the same time, only coastal areas can boast of a hot climate. The mountainous regions differ significantly from the plains. Here the temperature is lower, with a lot of precipitation. It should be noted that drizzling light rain almost constantly falls on the plains, hail falls from time to time. Therefore, no one lives in these areas.
Planning a successful holiday in Papua New Guinea
In this wonderful country there is an excellent opportunity to swim and sunbathe throughout the year. Mostly tourists tend to come here to combine snorkeling and diving with beach holiday. For the best beaches in the country, it is worth going to the areas of the main dive resorts. The main attraction of the country is its nature, so it is worth planning a real ecotourism through the unexplored and dense jungles of Papua New Guinea. Note that this region is distinguished by the richest diversity of flora and fauna.
The country has a large number of reserves and parks. The most interesting are Varirata National Park, Moitaka Nature Park, Kokoda Trail Park and Namanatabu Historical Reserve. Travel agencies offer all travelers to go hiking or mountain climbing. Therefore, a trip to Papua New Guinea must be carefully planned. Every tourist will find interesting entertainment in this country. For example, the laziest travelers are offered to spend time on exciting fishing. In addition, for romantic meetings, it is proposed to visit sea cruises along the coast of the islands.
Sights of Papua New Guinea
In the historical center of the capital is the University, also called Town. On this peninsula there is a hundred-meter hill of Paga, from where a picturesque view of the whole city opens. Also interesting place is Ela Beach Park.
Some buildings have been preserved since the 19th century. The oldest building in Port Moresby is Ela United Church, which was built in 1890. By the way, in the same area there are many modern office buildings and luxury hotels.
In the north of the city there are many government buildings, including the Parliament building, a large sports complex and the National Museum. In this museum you can see natural, cultural, historical and ethnographic exhibits that tell about Papua New Guinea. Port Moresby has a national botanical park, which is considered the main attraction of the city. This garden is called a real paradise for birds. And consider can be seen on our website.
Amazing and rich nature is the attraction of this unique country. For example, near the town of Tufi there are real fjords, which are rarely found in this area. Surprise is also caused by the local population, who have preserved their way of life and culture, so they say that time has stopped here.
National cuisine
IN local cuisine you can see and taste Asian dishes and dishes of the peoples of Oceania. The main products include local root vegetables, for example, sweet potatoes, taro, yams. Among the grain crops, sago and rice. Local dishes are prepared mainly from meats such as game, poultry and pork. TO national dishes Mumu is attributed to Papua New Guinea - sweet potatoes with pork are fried in an earthen oven.
Egg soup is called burgandi. Fried beef with rice is balli beef. Fish cooked in coconut sauce is kokoda. In addition, a variety of salads are well distributed. As a side dish, they use taro, yams, cassava sago, rice.
The table is served with vegetables, fried breadfruit and greens. All kinds of desserts are called local fruits served in coconut cream. The most popular drink is local coffee. In addition, fruit juices and muli-wara lemonade are very popular in Papua New Guinea. Alcoholic drinks are not produced here, they are imported from other countries. In addition, it is worth ordering alcohol only in restaurants where there are good conditions for storage. Please note that in local restaurants it is not customary to leave a tip.
Photo of Papua New Guinea
