New Guinea (island): origin, description, territory, population. Where is the island of New Guinea located?

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

From time immemorial, Russian and foreign sailors began to explore the islands located in the Pacific Ocean. These natural complexes are so amazing and unusual that they are considered to be separate continents with their own culture and way of life. We all remember from school that the second largest "continent" in Oceania after Greenland is Papua New Guinea.

The island is washed by several seas: New Guinea, Solomon, Coral, as well as the Torres Strait and the Gulf of Papua. N. N. Miklukho-Maklai, a Russian biologist and navigator who made a significant contribution to geography, history and science, was engaged in close study of natural resources, local culture and the indigenous population. Thanks to this man, the world learned about the existence of wild jungles and original tribes.

True, tours to an island in Oceania do not enjoywildly in demand, yet remain a rarity. But travelers who have visited the local jungle, untouched by civilization, recall their vacation with rapture and delight. Rich vegetation, exotic wildlife, amazing landscapes, a variety of languages, customs and cultures leave an indelible impression in the memory. Our publication is dedicated to this state.

Geographic description of the island of New Guinea

Tropical island located in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, connects two parts of the world: Asia and Australia. It has been an independent state since 1975, is also part of the British Commonwe alth and is a member of the UN. Its capital is the city of Port Moresby. The origin of the island of New Guinea is mainland. Almost the entire territory is covered with massive hills, rocky ridges.

Most of them are of volcanic origin, rising to 3000 meters above sea level. According to scientific data, Wilhelm is considered the highest mountain, which reaches 4509 meters. Between the hills are wide hollows filled with water, densely planted with tropical trees.

Several rivers flow on the island: Ramu, Sepik, Markham, Purari, Fly. Scientists involved in the geological study of the island claim that the continent has a high seismic activity. The last eruption was recorded in the last century, during which thousands of people were affected, and agriculture was also greatly damaged.

New Guinea Island: Population

Life on tropical islandsoriginated thousands of years ago, no one can name the exact date. The last census took place in 1900, at that time the population was about 10 million people. The indigenous people are the Papuans, belonging to the equatorial race. In addition to the Melanesians - as this nation is also called - Asians and even Europeans live.

The lack of civilization, jobs, as well as unfavorable living conditions and the presence of a high crime situation, are forcing the natives to migrate from the "mainland" of New Guinea. The island lives according to its customs and laws. Papuans create clans, tribes, choose elders, without whom important tasks and decisions are not made.

The main occupation of the population is agriculture. Wild tribes plow the land, plant palm trees with bananas, coconuts, also pineapples, sugar cane. Fishing and hunting are equally popular. Some natives mine precious metals and then sell them on the black market.

Climatic conditions

The huge masses of water and the small size of the land have influenced the climate as a whole. In the north, there is a humid equatorial climate, characterized by heavy showers, slight winds. The summer temperature regime fluctuates between +30…+32 °С, at night it drops slightly.

The southern part of the mainland is ruled by the subequatorial climatic zone. In the winter months (January-February), strong winds dominate the islandPapua New Guinea. The island, or rather the southeast (May-August) and the central part, is heavily flooded with tropical rains.

The rest of the coastal area (lowland) undergoes drought until late autumn. In areas with high mountains and ridges, a small amount of precipitation falls, since the highlands act as a protective barrier against cold air masses and rains.

Economic situation

The relief of the ridges prevents the construction of highways and connecting paths. To date, there is no land communication with the major countries of the state of New Guinea. The island has only air communication with the Pacific regions. To maintain and develop the economy, the state in Oceania regularly receives financial support from Australia.

However, the infrastructure remains at an antediluvian level. The main reason is non-compliance with the law on the part of local residents. Crime and civil strife flare up in rural areas. In order to protect their property from robbery and ruin, residents create communities.

The main activity of the population is agriculture. Thus, market relations are established between tribes and regions. Sweet potatoes and tea are cultivated in the mountainous regions, vegetables, bananas, yams, and taro are cultivated in the lowlands. They grow different cereals, fruit, coffee and chocolate trees. Animal husbandry is practiced. Papua New Guinea is rich in mineral resources. The mining industry is actively developing.

Flora

TerritoryThe islands of New Guinea are covered with evergreen savannas. Valuable species of plants and relict trees grow in the jungle: sago and coconut palms, melon and breadfruit, mangoes, rubber plants, ficuses, bamboos, pandanuses, casuarinas. The forests contain pines and ferns. And in the swampy areas grow mangroves. Along the banks of the rivers you can see thickets of sugar cane.

Fauna

The animal world is rich and diverse. Alligators, dangerous and poisonous snakes, as well as lizards and chameleons are found in local rivers. The fauna is represented by amazing insects, exotic birds and reptiles. Birds of paradise, cassowaries, crowned pigeons, large parrots live on the mainland. Large turtles crawl along the coast. In the forests there are marsupial badgers, kangaroos, couscous. Local residents breed animals familiar to our region: pigs, cows, horses, goats and other livestock.

Tourist Focus

Avid travelers know where the island of New Guinea is located, and therefore tend to get here in the summer months to see the colorful and diverse world of the jungle. In warm weather, enchanting festivals with national dances of the natives are organized here. Many are attracted by sightseeing holidays in the wild jungle with a local guide, others are attracted by sightseeing in nearby resorts.

What to do?

When purchasing a tour to the mainland island of Papua New Guinea, be sure to go diving. Every hotel and inn offers similar services. The waters of the Pacific Ocean are an unusually colorful world, teeming with coral reefs, amazing sea creatures, and large predators. At the bottom of the ocean you can see sunken ships and planes.

Surfing and windsurfing are no less popular. The best beaches for this extreme activity are the coasts of the resorts of Wewak, Madang, Vanimo, Alotau. It is allowed to fish in coastal waters, which is what guests of the island do. It is possible to catch mackerel, giant trevally, dog-toothed tuna, barracuda, salmon, perch and many other trophies. Rafting, canoeing, kayaking, boat trips are in great demand.

Papua New Guinea is a natural wonder of the world, fraught with many mysteries and seductive with its resources. If you are not afraid of tropical mosquito bites and the aggressive behavior of the Papuans, then feel free to purchase a tour to the picturesque island.