Papua New Guinea
Comprehensive Price List of Papua New Guinea Stamps from Sydney Philatelicss
Group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia. Population: 5,500.000 (2005). Area: 452,860 sq km.
The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives.
Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The economy has improved over the past two years, following a prolonged period of instability. Former Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA had tried to restore integrity to state institutions, to stabilize the kina, restore stability to the national budget, to privatize public enterprises where appropriate, and to ensure ongoing peace on Bougainville. Australia annually supplies $240 million in aid, which accounts for 20% of the national budget. Challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE, including gaining further investor confidence, continuing efforts to privatize government assets, maintaining the support of members of Parliament, and balancing relations with Australia, the former colonial ruler.
Postal History
Papua
Stamps of Queensland were used in British New Guinea from 1885 and replaced by British New Guinea stamps in 1901.When the protectorate was claimed outright in 1888, post offices were opened at Port Moresby and Samurai. As soon as British New Guinea (Papua) was handed over to the Commonwealth of Australia, first stamps were quickly produced by overprinting existing issues of British New Guinea.
New Guinea
The former territory of New Guinea and the colony of Papua were consolidated as an Australian trust territory in 1946. From 1945 to 1952 stamps of Australia were used (eg 1946 Victory issue). From 1952 the stamps of the consolidated territories designated "Papua & New Guinea" This was changed to Papua New Guinea in 1972 during the constitutional development process toward self-government in 1973 and ultimately independence in 1975.
Comprehensive Price List of Papua New Guinea Stamps from Sydney Philatelics
• Sydney Philatelics • P.O. Box 122 Milton NSW 2538 •
• Phone: +61 (0)2 4455 4011 • Fax: +61 (0)2 8572 9911 •
• E-mail:info@stampsaustralia.com.au •
