Which Papua New Guinea capital sits on the Gulf of Papua?

The Papua New Guinea capital on the Gulf of Papua is Port Moresby. The city stands on the southwestern coast of the Papuan Peninsula, on the island of New Guinea.

Port Moresby is Papua New Guinea’s capital and largest city. The area has long been associated with the Motu and Koitabu peoples, and the city developed as a trading centre during the late 19th century. British naval captain John Moresby encountered the harbour in 1873; it was named for his father, Admiral Fairfax Moresby.

The settlement became the capital of the Australian-administered Territory of Papua and later of the combined Territory of Papua and New Guinea. When Papua New Guinea became independent in September 1975, Port Moresby continued as the capital. Government institutions are concentrated largely in the Waigani area, including the National Parliament House.

Wewak and Lae are important coastal cities, while Rabaul is a historic port on New Britain, but none is the national capital. Port Moresby’s Gulf of Papua location is the decisive geographic clue.