Papua New Guinea - Madang, Aerial View

Aerial view of Madang, New Guinea

Photo:Robert Brown
Papua New Guinea

- - - - - - -

Madang 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. 

Papau New Guinea - Madang Harbour

Madang Harbour
In Madang and all over Papua New Guinea, South Pacific Lager is the most popular beer.

(yes, that is what is printed on the back of this beautiful postcard)

- - - - - - -

Papua New Guinea, officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea.  It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, in a region defined since the early 19th century as Melanesia.

Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries on Earth. According to recent data, 841 different languages are listed for the country, although 11 of these have no known living speakers.  It is also one of the most rural, as only 18 percent of its people live in urban centres. The country is one of the world's least explored, culturally and geographically, and many undiscovered species of plants and animals are thought to exist in the interior of Papua New Guinea.

After being ruled by three external powers since 1884, Papua New Guinea gained its independence from Australia in 1975. It remains a Commonwealth realm of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of Papua New Guinea.