15 Places That Don't Mean What You Think: Explained
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.
Papua New Guinean
/ˈpæpuə nuː ˈɡɪni/

Papua New Guinea is an island nation in the Pacific region, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea along with many smaller islands. Its capital city is Port Moresby, a coastal city on the Gulf of Papua. The country gained independence from Australia in 1975 and has since developed its own national identity and government. Papua New Guinea is one of the most linguistically diverse countries on Earth, with more than 800 languages spoken across its many communities. Its mountainous interior is home to rugged highlands, dense rainforests, and remarkable biodiversity, including unique birds and tree kangaroos. The nation's rich cultural traditions include elaborate ceremonies, carvings, and music that have been passed down through generations. Its striking landscapes and deep cultural heritage make it a fascinating destination for adventurous travelers.
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Named after the Papuan people, a term possibly from Malay 'papua' meaning 'frizzy-haired', and 'New Guinea' after the island's resemblance to Guinea in West Africa.
Other places in the region and their demonyms
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Want to explore where Papua New Guineans live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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Take a Quiz →Discover demonyms from other places in this region