Government type:

constitutional parliamentary democracy

Capital:

name: Port Moresby geographic coordinates: 9 30 S, 147 10 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Independence:

16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 16 September (1975)