| Country name: |
conventional long form:
Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form:
Papua New Guinea
former:
Territory of Papua and New Guinea
abbreviation:
PNG
|
| Government type: |
constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy
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| Administrative divisions: |
20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain
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| Independence: |
16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
|
| National holiday: |
Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
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| Constitution: |
16 September 1975
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| Legal system: |
based on English common law
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| Suffrage: |
18 years of age; universal
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| Executive branch: |
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Silas ATOPARE (since 13 November 1997)
head of government:
Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA (since NA August 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Michael OGIO (since 3 November 2000)
cabinet:
National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the National Executive Council; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general for up to five years on the basis of majority support in National Parliament
|
| Legislative branch: |
unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 from provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:
last held 14-28 June 1997 (next to be held NA June 2002)
election results:
percent of vote by party - PPP 15%, Pangu Pati 14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%, independents 33%; seats by party - PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM 9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note - association with political parties is very fluid
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| Judicial branch: |
Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)
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| Political parties and leaders: |
National Alliance or NA [Michael SOMARE]; National Party or NP [Michael MEL]; Papua New Guinea United Party or Pangu Pati [Chris HAIVETA]; People's Action Party or PAP [Ted DIRO]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's National Congress or PNC [Simon KAUMI]; People's Progress Party or PPP [Michael NALI]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Alfred KAIABE]; United Party or UP [Rimbiuk PATO]
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| Political pressure groups and leaders: |
NA
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| International organization participation: |
ACP, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
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| Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Susan JACOBS
chancery:
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
[1] (202) 745-3680
FAX:
[1] (202) 745-3679
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| Diplomatic representation from the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Arma Jane KARAER
embassy:
Douglas Street, Port Moresby
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby
telephone:
[675] 321-1455
FAX:
[675] 321-3423
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| Flag description: |
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
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