PNG National Geography
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Certainly! Here's a description of Papua New Guinea’s national geography: --- Papua New Guinea – National Geography Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most geographically diverse and ecologically rich countries in the world. Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, PNG occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea—the second largest island in the world—while the western half belongs to Indonesia. PNG also includes numerous offshore islands and archipelagos, such as the Bismarck Archipelago and the northern Solomon Islands (including Bougainville). 1. Location and Borders Region: Oceania Coordinates: Between 1°S and 12°S latitude, and 141°E to 156°E longitude Borders: Land border: West – Indonesia (Papua and West Papua provinces) Maritime borders: Australia (south), Solomon Islands (east), and Micronesian nations (north) 2. Land Area Total Area: ~462,840 square kilometers (about the size of California) Mainland: The eastern half of New Guinea Island Islands and Archipelagos: Bismarck Archipelago (New Britain, New Ireland, Manus) Bougainville (part of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville) D'Entrecasteaux, Trobriand, and Louisiade Archipelagos 3. Terrain and Topography Papua New Guinea's terrain is extremely rugged, making road development and transportation difficult in many areas. Highlands: Central mountain chain called the New Guinea Highlands, with peaks exceeding 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) Mount Wilhelm (4,509 meters / 14,793 ft) – highest point in PNG Lowlands: Coastal plains, river valleys, and swamps Rainforests: Dense and rich in biodiversity, covering much of the country Volcanoes: PNG lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," with several active volcanoes (e.g., Mount Tavurvur in Rabaul) 4. Climate Type: Tropical rainforest climate Seasons: Wet and dry seasons vary by region; generally hot and humid year-round Rainfall: High annual rainfall, especially along the coast and in mountain regions Temperature: Moderated by altitude—cooler in the highlands, hotter in lowland and coastal areas 5. Rivers and Lakes Major Rivers: Sepik River: One of the largest and longest rivers in PNG, flowing over 1,100 km through lowland rainforests Fly River: Another massive river system with economic and ecological importance Lakes: Lake Kutubu: Located in the Southern Highlands, known for its clarity and biodiversity Lake Chambri: Seasonal lake in the Sepik River floodplain 6. Flora and Fauna PNG is part of the Australasian ecozone and is considered one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Flora: Dense tropical rainforests, mangroves, and alpine tundra at high altitudes Fauna: Marsupials (e.g., tree kangaroos, bandicoots) Birds of Paradise (iconic to PNG) Unique species of reptiles, amphibians, and insects Coral reefs and rich marine life along its coasts 7. Environmental and Geological Features Earthquakes & Volcanoes: Frequent seismic activity due to tectonic movement Coral Reefs: Extensive reefs and marine biodiversity, especially around Milne Bay and New Ireland Protected Areas: Numerous national parks and conservation zones to preserve ecosystems --- Would you like this expanded into a visual map, a school-style report, or adapted for a video script or presentation?