Port Moresby, located in the Central Province, is the capital city of PNG. Port Moresby has a populaiton of around 200,000 people. This city sits in a rain shadow of sorts and does not get nearly as much rainfall as the rest of the country making it hot, dry and dusty much of the year. Port Moresby has a fairly high crime rate paritally due to the many who move to the city seeking fortune and prosperity, but find neither. Many end up living in unserviced squatter settlements.

During WWII, the Japanese tried to take Port Moresby by landing on the north coast near Popondetta and crossing the mountains instead of taking it by sea from the south. The route they took is known as the Kokoda Trail and can be seen on the map above. Their efforts were futile and they never estabished a viable supply line over the rugged and unforgiving trail.