Port Moresby city

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The commercial and official centre of the nation is in itself a microcosm of Papua New Guinea, catering for about 200,000 people, as well as 800 diverse languages and cultures.

Port Moresby, capital city of Papua New Guinea, located on the southern coast of New Guinea island, on Paga Point between Fairfax Harbour and Walter Bay of the Gulf of Papua. The Motuan people of the area now known as Port Moresby traded their pots for sago, other food and canoe logs, sailing from Hanuabada and other villages built on stilts above the waters of the bay. The area was first sighted by a European in 1873 by Captain John Moresby. It was named in honor of his father Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby.
Port Moresby is the site of government offices, the territorial museum, the University of Papua New Guinea, the Institute of National Affairs, and sports facilities. A superb natural harbor is situated in the south-east corner of the country. Ela Beach, on the southern side of the point, offers excellent relaxation.
A ridge divides the older town from the newer island suburbs, including the government centre at Waigani. Port Moresby refers to both the urbanized area of the National Capital District and more specifically to the main business area, known locally as "Town". Downtown at the waterside is the nostalgic Moresby, of narrow streets and historical street signs. Other neighborhoods of Port Moresby include: Koki, with its popular fresh produce market, Newtown, Konedobu, Kaevaga, Badili, Gabutu, Kila, Matirogo, Three Mile, Kaugere, Sabama, Korobosea, Four Mile, Hohola, Hohola North, Boroko, a major shopping area, Gordon, Gordon North, Erima, Saraga, Waigani, Morata and Gerehu. There are also villages like Hanuabada, the biggest village in Papua New Guinea.
There's a pleasant informality about dress in Port Moresby and casual clothes and open neck shirts for men are worn throughout the year, along with the traditional clothes such as rami, sulus, laplaps and kolos. Port Moresby is made up of a complex traditional society formed upon historical bonds between the traditional landowners, the coastal Motuans and the inland Koitabu, through intermarriages and trade which have been occurring since the mid-nineteenth century.
Situated within the vast campus of the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby, the National Capital Botanical Gardens is one of the prime tourist attractions in the country. It has a huge collection of plants from all over Papua New Guinea as well as many plants from other parts of the world. These include many palm species, bamboos, heliconias, cordyline, pandanus, native trees and shrubs. Well known for its extensive collection of Papua New Guinea orchid species housed in large greenhouses the gardens have large orchid houses for orchid hybrids producing cut flowers for the own flower shop.

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