State in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. Occupies the eastern part of the island of New Guinea with nearby islands, the Bismarck archipelago, part of the Solomon Islands, etc. The total area is 462 thousand sq. km. Population - 2.7 million (1977 estimate); Papuans, Melanesians and about 30 thousand - Australians and Europeans. The capital is Port Moresby (about 80 thousand inhabitants.). The official language is English. The bulk of the population adheres to traditional beliefs. In 1884, the northeastern part of the island of New Guinea was captured by Germany and was named the Land of Emperor Wilhelm. During the First World War, it was occupied by Australian troops, and in 1920, under the mandate of the League of Nations, it was transferred to the control of Australia. Since the end of 1946, this territory has been under the tutelage of Australia. The southeastern part of the island of New Guinea; called Papua, from 1884 to 1905 it was first a protectorate (until 1888), and then, a colony of England. Under the Act of 1905, it was transferred under the control of Australia. In 1949, both parts of the island were administratively united into one territory with a common control center in Port Moresby (Papua) - the seat of the Australian administrator. As a result of the liberation movement of the indigenous population, on December 1, 1973, Papua New Guinea received self-government, and on September 16, 1975, it was proclaimed an independent state, part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General, who is appointed for 6 years at the choice of the Parliament of Papua New Guinea. The highest legislative body is the National Parliament, the Executive Council of Ministers. To the begining
