16th September: Papua New Guinea Independence Day

Papua New Guinea Independence Day is today. Here are 10 facts about Papua New Guinea:

1. Its capital is Port Moresby.
2. Papua New Guinea is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world; 848 languages are listed for the country, of which 12 have no known living speakers. The four official languages are English, sign language, Tok Pisin, and Hiri Motu, with Tok Pisin being the most widely spoken and in which much of the debate in Parliament is conducted.
3. Only about 18% of the 7 million population live in towns and cities.
4. It was once part of the the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana, as was Australia, and so many of Papua New Guinea's animals are distantly related to those of Australia. There are possums and Kangaroos there, including tree kangaroos.
5. It is also home to the world's only known poisonous bird, the Hooded Pitohui (Pitohui dichrous). A neurotoxin called homobatrachotoxin, found in the birds' skin and feathers, causes numbness and tingling if you touch the bird. It's thought the toxin originates from the beetles it eats.
6. Papua New Guinea is one of the few regions close to the equator that experience snowfall, in the highest parts of the mainland. The highest peak is Mount Wilhelm at 4,509 metres (14,793 ft).
7. The flag depicts the Southern Crossand a raggiana bird of paradise. The flag was designed by a 15-year-old schoolgirl Susan Karike, who was the winner of a nationwide competition in 1971.
8. Since 1933, the currency has been the Papua New Guinean kina. Before this, sea shells were used as money. Although shells aren't legal tender now, traditions remain in some cultures there that if a man wants to marry a woman, he's expected to present a certain number of golden edged clam shells to her family.
9. There aren't many roads, because of the mountainous terrain. Even the capital is not linked to any other major cities or towns by road. Also, the country includes several islands, New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, and about 600 other smaller islands. Hence the most common means of transport for both people and freight is by air. Papua New Guinea has 578 airstrips, most of which are unpaved.
10. As recently as the 1970s, headhunting and cannibalism were practised by some tribes; although it has been eradicated now.