Human geography of Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Papua New Guinea is topographically diversified and, although it lies within the topics, it has many different climatic regimes. Traditional settlement has exploited the various ecological situations in different ways and this is reflected in population densities ranging from less than 5/km 2 over large areas to more than 100/km 2 in Highland valleys and other restricted areas. In the Highlands the dominant food crop is now the sweet potato, introduced probably only 300 years ago. Its introduction led to changes in both economic and social systems and influenced population densities. In lowland regions, the sago palm is used either as a staple or supplementary food and, in river and coastal communities, fish and other marine resources are exploited. Settlement forms range from single-family homesteads through hamlet and nucleated villages to communal longhouses. Some settlements number more than 1000 people, but more are small with approximately 50% numbering 75–300 people. Before European contact trade routes across the country were well established, as well as some to neighboring islands. Principal trade items were shells from the coast, stone axes from inland and salt from saline springs or from plants. In addition, local trade involved many types of food. European colonization resulted in many changes which have affected the distribution of population, health and social structure of the indigenous peoples.