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What is unique about the island of New Guinea in Oceania?

What is unique about the island of New Guinea in Oceania?

The western half of the island contains the highest mountains in Oceania, with its highest point, Puncak Jaya, reaching an elevation of 4,884 m (16,023 ft). The tree line is around 4,000 m (13,100 ft) elevation, and the tallest peaks contain equatorial glaciers—which have been retreating since at least 1936.

What is unique about the island of New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea has 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity, even though it only covers 1 percent of Earth’s total land area. It has more than 20,000 plant species, 800 species of coral, 600 species of fish, and 750 species of birds.

Can you see New Guinea from Australia?

The Torres Strait seen from space – Cape York Peninsula is at the bottom; several of the Torres Strait Islands can be seen strung out towards Papua New Guinea to the north….

Torres Strait
Type Strait
Basin countries Australia Papua New Guinea

Is New Zealand or Papua New Guinea closer to Australia?

Papua New Guinea is Australia’s closest neighbour (roughly 3.75 km separates the two countries at Saibai Island) and a former colony of Australia. Both nations share the same continent. In contemporary times, Papua New Guinea is one of the largest recipients of Australian aid.

How far is Papua New Guinea from the top of Australia?

The closest distance between the PNG and Australian mainlands is about 80 nautical miles (about 150 km).

Who are the countries that share the Island of New Guinea?

The island of New Guinea is shared between the nations of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Aerial photo of the island of New Guinea.

How big is the Island of New Guinea?

Aerial photo of the island of New Guinea. New Guinea is an island of the Malay Archipelago and covers an area of 303,381 square miles. The island, located in the southwest Pacific, is the second largest island in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere.

How many islands are there in Papua New Guinea?

This is a List of islands in Papua New Guinea, as to most of its 600 main islands, by Province listed NW to SE. Numbered provinces in Papua New Guinea, referred to in the text

Is the western half of New Guinea part of Indonesia?

The western half, known as Western New Guinea or West Papua, forms a part of Indonesia and is organized as the provinces of Papua and West Papua . The island has been known by various names: The name Papua was used to refer to parts of the island before contact with the West.