Port Moresby is a city located in Papua New Guinea. The city, which is also known as Moresby or Pom City, is the one of the largest in the South Pacific. It is an important center of trade, and in recent years has seen significant population growth. According to the most recent census, the population of the city is just over 400,000 people.
City Size and Population Density
The city of Port Moresby covers a surface area of 240 kilometers squared (90 square miles). This gives a rough population density of 1,500 residents per square kilometer (3,900 people living per square mile).
Port Moresby Demographics
There are a variety of ethnic groups that call Port Moresby home. These groups include Papuans, Negritos, Micronesians, Melanesians, and Polynesians.
The primary religion of the area is Protestant, making up approximately 70% of the population. This is broken down across groups including Evangelical Lutherans, United Church, Pentecostal, Anglican, Baptists, and more.
The languages of Tok Pisin, English and Hiri Motu are spoken in Port Moresby. There are a large group of children through age 14, as well as a large group of people in the 25 to 54 demographics.
Port Moresby History
Since its early days, Port Moresby has always been a spot designated for trade. The Motuan people would trade sago and pots for canoe logs and food.
John Moresby was the first European to arrive at Port Moresby. In the late 1800s, he claimed the land for the British. Later, Queensland tried to annex the southeastern corner of New Guinea Island, but this was not approved by the British. A protectorate over Papua as British New Guinea was established a few years later.
In the early 1900s, the Papua Act transferred Papua and Port Moresby to Australians. It was during this time that the city began to grow. Port facilities were improved, grocery stores and butcher shops were opened, and electricity was brought to the city.
During the 1940s, the city also became an important area for Allied bases during World War II. It was also during the 1940s that the Territory of Papua and New Guinea was combined and Port Moresby was named as capital.
It was during the 1970s that Papua New Guinea gained its independence. Government buildings, businesses, and cultural buildings were built as a result. Once the city gained its independence, the population grew significantly, climbing from 120,000 in 1980 to almost 200,000 during the 1990s.
Port Moresby Population Growth
In recent years, Port Moresby has seen impressive growth. Between 2000 and 2011, the city had an annual growth rate of 2.1%. Today, the growth rate averages about 1.78%, bringing steady growth to the city through the years ahead.
