City Australia and Oceania
Port Moresby
Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea. It is by the sea, on a big island called New Guinea.
Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea, on the south coast of the island of New Guinea. Traders and missionaries came to the area, home of the Motu people, from 1874. The city has grown very fast: the 2024 census counted 756,754 people in its National Capital District.
Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea on the south coast of New Guinea in Motu country, was visited by missionaries and traders from 1874. It had 41,000 inhabitants in 1966; its National Capital District counted 364,125 in 2011 and 756,754 at the census of 16 June 2024. It has had a parliament since 1961 and a university since 1965.
Photo: Mark Matson, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Discover Port Moresby
Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea. The city is on the south coast of New Guinea, a very big island.
It is the biggest city in its country.
Port Moresby is the capital of Papua New Guinea, Universalis says. It lies on the south coast of the island of New Guinea, in the area where the Motu people live.
At the census of 16 June 2024, 756,754 people lived in the National Capital District, the area that Port Moresby covers. That is more than twice the 364,125 counted in 2011. The whole country had 10,185,363 people.
National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (via City Population): National Capital District 123,624 (1980), 195,570 (1990), 254,158 (2000), 364,125 (2011) and 756,754 at the census of 16 June 2024; Papua New Guinea 10,185,363 (2024). In 2011 the city of Port Moresby (364,125, the same as the district) ranked first among the country's cities, ahead of Lae (148,934).
Universalis: capital of Papua New Guinea, on the south coast of New Guinea, in the region inhabited by the Motu.
- Country
- Papua New Guinea (capital)
- People in the National Capital District (census, 16 June 2024)
- 756,754
- People in Papua New Guinea (same census)
- 10,185,363
- Setting
- on the south coast of New Guinea, in the land of the Motu people
A city on a peninsula
This photo was taken from high in the sky. The city sits on a strip of land with sea on both sides!
Look for the boats and the green islands.
This photo, taken from the air on 22 January 2009, shows Port Moresby on a point of land between two stretches of sea. Tall buildings stand near the tip, and houses spread over the green hills behind them.
On the right are wharves, a marina full of small boats and new land being built out into the water. Ships wait in the harbor, and wooded islands lie offshore.
Commons: 'Aerial view of Port Moresby', 22 January 2009, Flickr photo by Mark Matson, CC BY 2.0, transferred by Flickr upload bot on 11 April 2010 (a later version of the same size was uploaded in 2018).
In the picture: a peninsula ending in a green headland; office towers near the tip; port wharves with stacked containers; a breakwater-sheltered marina; a large area of bare reclaimed land under construction; a highway curving inland; houses scattered over grassy hills; ships at anchor and several islands across the water. Wikidata: Ela Beach (Q5352538) 0.74 km E of the city's point; Hanuabada (Q5651329) 2.55 km NNE.
- Photo
- aerial view of Port Moresby, 22 January 2009
- Ela Beach
- a beach in Port Moresby, about 0.7 km east of the city's Wikidata point (Wikidata)
- Hanuabada
- a place in the National Capital District, about 2.6 km north-northeast (Wikidata)
From a trading place to a capital
Long ago, traders and missionaries came here. Later the town grew into a capital city.
The Motu people lived along this coast. From 1874, missionaries and traders began to come to the place, Universalis says.
During the Second World War the town was a target in the fighting in the region; afterwards it was rebuilt and made larger. It has had a parliament since 1961 and a university since 1965. Today it is the capital of Papua New Guinea, which became independent in 1975.
Universalis: situated on the south coast of New Guinea in the region inhabited by the Motu, the site was frequented by missionaries and traders from 1874. Port Moresby had 41,000 inhabitants in 1966, of whom 31,000 were Indigenous; after exceptional population growth it passed 255,000 at the start of the 21st century. During the Second World War it was one of the main objectives in the region's fighting; since then it has been rebuilt and enlarged, with a modern business center, a parliament since 1961 and a university since 1965. The related article on Papua New Guinea notes the country's independence in 1975.
- Traders and missionaries
- from 1874
- Parliament and university
- a parliament since 1961, a university since 1965
- Independence of Papua New Guinea
- 1975
Harbor, airport and roads
Ships come into Port Moresby's harbor. Planes land at the airport near the city.
Port Moresby's port is active, Universalis says, sending out goods from across the country. Fairfax Harbour lies about 7.7 kilometers northwest of the city's center point on Wikidata.
Planes use Jacksons International Airport, about 8.7 kilometers east-northeast, at 38 meters above sea level. Close to the center, Ela Beach lies about 0.7 kilometers east, and the University of Papua New Guinea about 8.5 kilometers north-northeast.
Universalis: the active port exports local products (copper, gold, silver, latex, coffee, timber and copra); the city is served by the country's only international airport (as the article states; undated).
Wikidata (from the city's point, Q36526): Ela Beach (Q5352538) 0.74 km E; Hanuabada (Q5651329) 2.55 km NNE; National Capital Botanical Gardens (Q2692902) 5.41 km ENE; Fairfax Harbour (Q104344130) 7.66 km NW; University of Papua New Guinea (Q780975) 8.49 km NNE; Jacksons International Airport (Q1088438), elevation 38 m, 8.69 km ENE; Varirata National Park (Q49574211) 24.55 km E.
- Jacksons International Airport
- about 8.7 km east-northeast of the city's Wikidata point, 38 m high (Wikidata)
- Fairfax Harbour
- a harbor near Port Moresby, about 7.7 km northwest (Wikidata)
- Port
- an active port exporting local products
A wet season and a long dry season
Port Moresby is hot all year. From December to April it rains a lot.
From June to October it is very dry.
The World Meteorological Organization's averages for 1973 to 2007 show a hot city all year: average daily highs stay between 29.9 °C and 32.5 °C, and lows between 22.4 °C and 23.7 °C.
About 900 millimeters of rain fall in a year, mostly from December to April. January is the wettest month, with 192.2 millimeters. From June to October each month gets less than 22 millimeters.
WMO World Weather Information Service, Port Moresby (9.48° S, 147.19° E), 1973–2007: mean daily maximum 29.9 °C (July) to 32.5 °C (November); mean daily minimum 22.4 °C (July) to 23.7 °C (December, January). Rainfall sums to 898.8 mm; December to April bring 725.6 mm, with January (192.2 mm) and March (189.8 mm) the wettest months and August (12.0 mm) the driest; 114 rain days a year (days with at least 0.1 mm).
The Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals for Port Moresby show the same pattern with more rain, 1,183.4 mm a year.
- Average daily highs (WMO, 1973–2007)
- 29.9 °C (July) to 32.5 °C (November)
- Average daily lows (same normals)
- 22.4 °C (July) to 23.7 °C (December, January)
- Rain in a year (sum of the monthly normals)
- about 900 mm
Trade, fishing and a growing city
Ships carry coffee, wood and metals from the port. The city also has a modern business center.
Port Moresby is an important center of trade and industry, Universalis says. Its port sends out copper, gold, silver, latex, coffee, timber and copra (dried coconut).
The city has grown very fast. About 41,000 people lived there in 1966; the 2024 census counted 756,754 in the National Capital District. The University of Papua New Guinea lies about 8.5 kilometers north-northeast of the city's center point on Wikidata.
Universalis: an important commercial and industrial center whose active port exports local products (copper, gold, silver, latex, coffee, timber, copra); a modern business center has been built. Population: 41,000 in 1966 (31,000 Indigenous), more than 255,000 at the start of the 21st century; census 2024: 756,754 (National Capital District).
Wikidata: University of Papua New Guinea (Q780975), 8.49 km NNE of the city's point.
- Exports through the port
- copper, gold, silver, latex, coffee, timber and copra
- University of Papua New Guinea
- about 8.5 km north-northeast of the city's Wikidata point (Wikidata)
- People in 1966
- 41,000
Port Moresby on the map
Find Papua New Guinea on the globe, north of Australia. Port Moresby is on the south coast.
Port Moresby lies at about 9.5° south, on the south coast of the island of New Guinea.
Measured from the city's center point on Wikidata, Ela Beach is about 0.7 kilometers east, Fairfax Harbour about 7.7 kilometers northwest, the airport about 8.7 kilometers east-northeast, and Varirata National Park about 25 kilometers east.
Port Moresby lies at about 9.46° S and 147.19° E (Natural Earth point, 4.98 km ENE of the Wikidata point). From the Wikidata point (Q36526): Ela Beach 0.74 km E; Hanuabada 2.55 km NNE; Fairfax Harbour 7.66 km NW; University of Papua New Guinea 8.49 km NNE; Jacksons International Airport 8.69 km ENE; Varirata National Park 24.55 km E. The WMO station point is 4.45 km E of the Wikidata point.
- Latitude
- about 9.5° south
- Longitude
- about 147.2° east
- Coast
- the south coast of New Guinea
Amazing facts
-
Port Moresby has more than twice as many people as it had in 2011!
The census counted 364,125 people in Port Moresby's National Capital District in 2011 and 756,754 in 2024.
NSO Papua New Guinea (via City Population): National Capital District 364,125 (10 July 2011), 756,754 (16 June 2024).
-
Copra is dried coconut. Ships carry it from Port Moresby.
Port Moresby's port exports copper, gold, silver, latex, coffee, timber and copra, which is dried coconut, Universalis says.
Universalis: the port exports local products: copper, gold, silver, latex, coffee, timber and copra.
-
In August, very little rain falls in Port Moresby.
In the WMO averages for 1973 to 2007, August gets only 12.0 millimeters of rain, while January gets 192.2.
WMO 1973–2007, Port Moresby: August 12.0 mm, January 192.2 mm; year 898.8 mm.
-
Port Moresby has a university that opened long ago.
Port Moresby has had a university since 1965 and a parliament since 1961, Universalis says.
Universalis: a parliament since 1961 and a university since 1965.
Words to know
- capital
- the city where a country's government works
- peninsula
- land with water on three sides
- harbor
- a sheltered area of water where ships can stay safely
- copra
- dried coconut meat, used to make coconut oil
- missionary
- a person sent to another place to spread a religion and often to run schools
- census
- an official count of all the people in a place
Discovery challenge
-
Port Moresby is the capital of which country?
Port Moresby is the capital of which country north of Australia?
Port Moresby, on the south coast of New Guinea, is the capital of which country?
- Papua New Guinea
- Guinea
- New Zealand
Show the answer
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea!
Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea.
-
What is copra?
Port Moresby exports copra. What is copra?
Among the port's exports Universalis lists copra. What is it?
- Dried coconut
- A kind of fish
- A metal
Show the answer
Dried coconut
Dried coconut!
Dried coconut.
Dried coconut meat.
-
When does most rain fall in Port Moresby?
In the WMO averages, which months bring most of the rain?
WMO 1973–2007: which months bring 725.6 mm of the year's 898.8 mm?
- December to April
- June to October
- Only in August
Show the answer
December to April
December to April!
December to April.
December to April.
-
About how many people lived here at the 2024 census?
How many people did the 2024 census count in Port Moresby's National Capital District?
Census of 16 June 2024: population of the National Capital District?
- 756,754
- 75,675
- 7,567,540
Show the answer
756,754
About 750,000!
756,754.
756,754.
-
Which people lived on this coast?
Port Moresby lies in the land of which people?
Universalis places Port Moresby in the region inhabited by which people?
- The Motu
- The Maya
- The Sami
Show the answer
The Motu
The Motu!
The Motu.
The Motu.
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For parents & teachers
What children will learn
- Locate Port Moresby on the south coast of New Guinea.
- Compare census counts to see how fast a capital has grown.
- Describe a tropical climate with a wet season and a dry season.
- Name some goods a port sends abroad.
Recommended ages: 3 to 17 · About 15 minutes
Talk about it
- Why might a city grow very fast after it becomes a capital?
- What would change in your life if it hardly rained for five months?
- Why do you think many capitals are built by the sea?
Try at home or in class
- Port map: draw a harbor and label the goods ships carry out: coffee, timber, copra.
- Wet and dry: color a 12-month strip blue for wet months and yellow for dry months using the WMO rain numbers.
- Growth bars: draw bars for 41,000 (1966), 364,125 (2011) and 756,754 (2024).
Key vocabulary: capital, peninsula, harbor, copra, missionary, census
Where these facts come from
- Wikidata , Wikimedia Foundation (CC0 1.0)
- Natural Earth vector data , Natural Earth (NACIS) (Public domain)
- Port Moresby , Encyclopaedia Universalis
- Papua New Guinea: Provinces, Major Cities & Urban Localities , City Population (Thomas Brinkhoff), from the National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea
- Port Moresby: climatological information , World Meteorological Organization, World Weather Information Service
- Port Moresby: monthly climate normals 1991–2020 , Japan Meteorological Agency
- File:Aerial view of Port Moresby.jpg (Mark Matson, 22 January 2009) , Wikimedia Commons
- Wikimedia Commons , Wikimedia Foundation (Per file (public domain, CC0, CC BY or CC BY-SA); see each media record)
Checked, not yet human-reviewed. Last updated November 1, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.