Divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered.
20 provinces, 1 autonomous province*, and 1 district**: Bougainville*, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Hela, Jiwaka, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital**, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, and West New Britain.
Population:
5,172,033 (July 2002 est.)
Languages:
English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in Papua region 715 indigenous languages
Geographic coordinates:
6° 00' S, 147° 00' E
Area total:
462,840 sq. km
Land area:
452,860 sq. km
Water area:
9,980 sq. km
Total land boundaries:
820 km
Borders with neighbor countries:
Indonesia 820 km
Coastline:
5,152 km
Elevation extremes:
Pacific Ocean 0 m - Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Internet country code:
.pg
Currency:
kina (PGK)
Name - abbreviation:
PNG
Name - conventional long form:
Independent State of Papua New
Name - conventional short form:
Papua New Guinea
Former name:
Territory of Papua and New Guinea
Independence:
16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
Constitution:
16 September 1975
Government type:
constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy