Papua New Guinea | Customs and Traditions

School children from Madang Province keeping their heritage much alive    Papua New Guinea comprises the main landmass of the eastern half of the world's second largest island, New Guinea, with Indonesia to the west. The rest of the country is made up of 600 smaller islands. The independent state of Papua New Guinea is the biggest island nation in the South Pacific. It lies between 141° and 168° east longitude, and 1° and 12° south latitude, and is just 160 kilometres north of Australia. This country is home to 5.2 million Melanesian people who speak over 800 languages. The land area is approximately 462,840 square kilometres.  Topography The mainland and the larger islands are notable for their impressive mountain ranges. Several mountains exceed 4,000 metres in height, the highest being Mt. Wilhelm, standing 4, 706 metres above sea level. The main island is dominated by a central mountain chain or cordillera which extends throughout the length of the island. The mountains are the source of fast-flowing rivers which descend to the coastal plains to join some of the world's largest swamp system. Two of the country's largest rivers, the Sepik and the Fly, are navigable by small boats for about 800 kilometres.      Climate The climate of Papua New Guinea is monsoon type, hot and humid all year, though cooler in the highlands. Rainfall is mainly from December to March. High mountains receive occasional frost and even snow. Temperatures in the lowland, coastal and island areas range from 23° to 33° C. Type of Government Papua New Guinea is a parliamentary democracy, with a single legislature known as the National Parliament. There are 109 members of Parliament and national elections are held every five years.    Some Useful Tok Pisin Mi laik go long hotel. I want to go to the hotel. Mi laik go long benk. I want to go to the bank. Mi pilim sik. I don't feel well. Hamas long dispela? How much does this cost? Tenk yu tru. Thank you Wanem nem bilong yu? What is your name? Em wanem samting? What is this? Gut moning. Good morning. Gut nait. Good night Apinun. Good afternoon. Bai mi painim teksi we? Where can I find a taxi? Wanem taim nau? Can you tell me the time? Yu laik go we? Where do you want to go? Mi inap long kaikai. I've had enough to eat. Mi laik go long stua. I want to go shopping. Customs and Quarantine on Arrival Adults over 18 years can bring in new goods to the value of K1000 and duty free: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco. 2 litres of alcohol A reasonable amount of perfume Drugs, pornographic literature or video tapes and CDs, firearms and weapons are prohibited. Food items spices, seeds, live or dry plants, animal products and biological specimens such as culture and blood need special import approval. Export Regulations Visitors who purchase artefacts or other handicrafts may have problems taking them through Australia and some other countries. Arrangements for Quarantine to fumigate these artefacts can be done within 24 hours if the PNG Events Council Secretariat is notified. Historical and cultural objects are prohibited exports. You may require an export permit from the National Museum. Export permits for wildlife and animal products are issued by the Nature Conservation Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation. Bird of Paradise Plumes It is illegal for non-citizens to purchase or trade in Bird of Paradise plumes with vendors or at the market places. Visitors must take note of this important advice.