Capital of Papua New Guinea: Port Moresby — Facts & Quiz
The capital of Papua New Guinea is Port Moresby. Papua New Guinea sits in Oceania, has a population of 10,142,619, and uses the PGK. Official languages include English, Tok Pisin.
Quick facts
- Capital: Port Moresby
- Continent: Oceania
- Population: ~10,142,619
- Area: 462,840 km²
- Population density: 21.9 people per km²
- Official languages: English, Tok Pisin
- Currency: PGK
- ISO code: PG
How big is Papua New Guinea?
By population, Papua New Guinea ranks 93rd in the world, holding roughly 0.13% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 54th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Papua New Guinea has 21.9 people per square kilometre, which is about 2.7 times below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Oceania, Papua New Guinea is the 2nd most populous country of 14.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Papua New Guinea in population are Portugal (10,270,865) and Hungary (9,967,308).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Sweden (450,295 km²) and Cameroon (475,442 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
English is spoken officially in 58 countries in this dataset, including Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados and Belize, and 52 others.
Papua New Guinea uses the PGK, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Papua New Guinea
Port Moresby is on the south coast, facing Australia. For the flag, a golden bird of paradise flies on red and the Southern Cross shines on black.
The flag of Papua New Guinea: red, black, yellow and white
🇵🇬 The flag is divided diagonally, with a yellow bird of paradise on the red upper half and five white stars on the black lower half. Red, black and yellow are the country's traditional colours. The bird of paradise stands for the country and its peoples, and the stars show the Southern Cross.
Region and neighbours
Papua New Guinea is an island country in Oceania covering the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and many smaller islands, north of Australia. It shares land borders with one country: Indonesia. Its only land border is with Indonesia, across the middle of the island of New Guinea.
- Indonesia 🇮🇩 — capital Jakarta
Three facts about Papua New Guinea
- About 840 languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea, more than in any other country.
- New Guinea is the second-largest island in the world, after Greenland.
- Mount Wilhelm, about 4,509 m high, is the highest point in the country.
Sources: Wikipedia: Papua New Guinea, Wikipedia: Flag of Papua New Guinea, Wikipedia: Port Moresby, Wikipedia: New Guinea, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Papua New Guinea
- Oceania capitals quiz — match Papua New Guinea to Port Moresby
- Oceania flags quiz — spot the Papua New Guinea flag among its neighbours
Papua New Guinea capital quiz
What is the capital of Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬?
- Port Moresby
- Canberra
- Majuro
- Ngerulmud
Show answer
Port Moresby
What is the capital of New Zealand 🇳🇿?
- Wellington
- Apia
- Majuro
- Port Moresby
Show answer
Wellington
What is the capital of Australia 🇦🇺?
- Port Vila
- Canberra
- Port Moresby
- Suva
Show answer
Canberra
What is the capital of Fiji 🇫🇯?
- Suva
- Nukuʻalofa
- Tarawa
- Port Moresby
Show answer
Suva
What is the capital of Solomon Islands 🇸🇧?
- Honiara
- Apia
- Port Moresby
- Funafuti
Show answer
Honiara
Papua New Guinea in Oceania
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Solomon Islands.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Oceania is the block Papua New Guinea belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Papua New Guinea.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Papua New Guinea?
The capital of Papua New Guinea is Port Moresby.
What is the population of Papua New Guinea?
About 10,142,619, making it the 93rd most populous country in the world.
How big is Papua New Guinea?
462,840 square kilometres, ranking 54th by land area, at a density of 21.9 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Papua New Guinea use?
The PGK, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Papua New Guinea flag?
The flag of Papua New Guinea is divided diagonally, with a yellow bird of paradise on the red upper half and five white stars on the black lower half. Red, black and yellow are the country's traditional colours. The bird of paradise stands for the country and its peoples, and the stars show the Southern Cross.
Which countries border Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea shares land borders with Indonesia. Its only land border is with Indonesia, across the middle of the island of New Guinea.
How can I remember the capital of Papua New Guinea?
Port Moresby is on the south coast, facing Australia. For the flag, a golden bird of paradise flies on red and the Southern Cross shines on black.
More capitals to learn
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