Capital : Port Moresby

Land Area : 462,840 sq km

Head of Government : Prime Minister The Rt Hon Sir Michael Somare (since 2 August 2002)

Population : 5,545,268 (July 2005 est.)

Major Languages : "English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in Papua region note: 715 indigenous languages "

Major Religion(s) : Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian / Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs 34%

Date of Joining : 1975

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Articles from Newsletter:

• Right to Information Legislation- The Key to Reducing Corruption and Enhancing Economic Growth, CHRI Newsletter, Volume 11, Number 4, Winter 2004.

Articles from E-Magazine:

• Illegal Gaming Machines shown the door by the police, CHRI, Commonwealth Police Watch E-Magazine, Vol. 1, December 2004.
• Australia to withdraw its police force, rules the Supreme Court, CHRI, Commonwealth Police Watch E-Magazine, Vol. 3, June 2005.

Articles from Police Reforms:

• Gun Summit hears of assault weapons disappearing, Radio Australia, Pacific Beat, 4 July 2005.