Pap·u·a New Guin·ea [ pàppyoo ə noo gínnee ]independent nation in Oceania, situated north of Australia, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, consisting of the eastern half of the island of New Guinea together with many other islands. It became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1975. Languages: English. Currency: kina. Capital: Port Moresby. Population: 6,057,263 (2009 estimate).
Area: 462,840 sq km (178,704 sq mi) Official name Independent State of Papua New Guinea
