Papua New Guinea Port Moresby (National Capital District): History
Papua New Guinea's National Capital District (NCD) of Port Moresby is a vibrant and diverse city, steeped in history and culture. Located in the southern part of the country, Port Moresby is the largest city in Papua New Guinea and the capital of the nation. It is a major commercial and political hub for the country, and is home to many of the country's most important government and corporate institutions.
The history of Port Moresby dates back to the late 19th century when it was first explored by British explorer Sir William MacGregor in 1873. At the time, the area was known as Daunibau, and the people living there were the Motu people. MacGregor named the area Port Moresby, after Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby, who had served in the Royal Navy in the area.
In 1883, the British established a trading post in Port Moresby, which became the first permanent European settlement in the area. The trading post was a success, and the British soon began to expand their presence in the area, establishing a garrison in 1885. The garrison was later replaced by a military base in 1888, and Port Moresby became the capital of the British New Guinea Protectorate in 1895.
In 1906, the British granted the area its first municipal government, which was replaced by an Australian administration in 1921. In the following years, the city continued to grow and develop, and by the 1950s Port Moresby had become a bustling port city.
In 1975, Papua New Guinea achieved independence from Australia, and Port Moresby became the nation’s capital. Since then, the city has continued to grow and develop, becoming a major commercial and political hub for the nation. Today, Port Moresby is a vibrant and diverse city, with a population of over 300,000 people. It is a major center of business, finance, and government in the country, and is home to many of the nation’s most important government and corporate institutions.