9°30S 147°07E, pop (2000e) 240 000. Seaport capital of Papua New Guinea, on the S coast of New Guinea; Allied base in World War 2; airport; university (1965); base for overseas telecommunications and national broadcasting; light industry; Hiri Moale Festival (AugSep), arts festival (Sep).
Port Moresby, (9°30′S 147°12′E), population 255,000 (2000), is the capital of Papua New Guinea.
The area on which the city was founded was first sighted by a European in 1873 by Captain John Moresby.
History
Before Colonization
The Motuan people of the area now known as Port Moresby, traded their pots for sago, other food and canoe logs, sailing from Hanuabada and other villages, built on silts above the waters of the bay.
Colonization
The area was already an important trade centre by the time, Captain John Moresby, of HMS Basilisk first identified the area of the site later to become known as Port Moresby. He called the inner reach "Fairfax Harbour" and the other Port Moresby.
Actual European settlement of the site did not occur until a decade later when the south-eastern part of New Guinea island was annexed to British Empire.
World War II and after
During World War II, many Papuan people returned to their villages or were evacuated to camps far from Port Moresby. As a result villages in the Port Moresby area fell into disrepair and after the war, Port Moresby had to be reconstructed.
In 1945, the Territory of Papua and New Guinea was formed when Papua and the former German New Guinea, which had been administered by Australia since 1918, were amalgamated under a single Australian Administration. Port Moresby became regarded as the capital of the combined territory and a focal point for the expansion of public services.
Capital City of an Independent PNG
In September 1975, Port Moresby became capital city of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.
The population of the Port Moresby area has expanded rapidly since independence.
In 2004 Port Moresby was ranked the worst place in the world to live, in the Economist Intelligence Unit's ranking of 130 of the world's capital cities.
Regions and Suburbs
Port Moresby refers to both the urbanised area of the National Capital District and more specifically to the main business area, known locally as "Town". Other neighbourhoods of Port Moresby include: Koki, with its popular fresh produce market, Newtown, Konedobu, Kaevaga, Badili, Gabutu, Kila, Matirogo, Three Mile, Kaugere, Sabama, Korobosea, Four Mile, Hohola, Hohola North, Boroko, a major shopping area, Gordon, Gordon North, Erima, Saraga, Waigani, Morata and Gerehu.
Transport
Port Moresby is served by Jacksons International Airport.
Port Moresby is the only town in Papua New Guinea to have taxis.
Twin towns
| Jinan, People's Republic of China (Province Shandong) since September 28th, 1988 | |
| Townsville, Australia (Queensland) since 1983 |
Associated town:
| Jayapura, Indonesia (Province Papua (Indonesian province)) |
User Comments Add a comment…