Western Highlands Province
Coordinates: 5°40′S 144°30′E / 5.667°S 144.5°E
| Western Highlands Province | |||
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| — Province — | |||
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| Country |  Papua New Guinea |
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| Capital | Mount Hagen | ||
| Government | |||
| • Governor | Tom Olga (2007-) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 3,281.9 sq mi (8,500 km2) | ||
| Population (2007) | |||
| • Total | 440,025 | ||
| • Density | 134.1/sq mi (51.8/km2) | ||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10) | ||
Western Highlands is a province of Papua New Guinea. The provincial capital is Mount Hagen. The province covers an area of 8,500 km², and there are 440,025 inhabitants (2000 census), making the Western Highlands one of the most densely populated provinces. Tea and coffee are grown in the Western Highlands. Mount Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in Papua New Guinea, is on the border of the Western Highlands.
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[edit] Split to create Jiwaka Province
In July 2009, Parliament passed legislation to create two new provinces by 2012. One of these is to be created by removing Jimi District, North Waghi District, and the South Waghi part of Anglimp-South Waghi District from the Western Highlands Province to form the new Jiwaka Province.[1] "Jiwaka" is a portanteau word combining the first two letters each of Jimi, Waghi and Kambia.
[edit] Economy
The Western Highlands economy is primarily based on coffee. Coffee is grown on plantations and small-holder blocks. They are picked, dried and processed for export. In addition, tea is also a major crop grown and processed, but in plantations by Wr Carpenters & Company Limited for local consumption and export. Apart from these, vegetables are grown for the domestic market, and sold mainly to markets Lae and Port Moresby.[clarification needed]
[edit] Districts and LLGs
There are seven districts in the province. Each district has one or more Local Level Government (LLG) areas. For census purposes, the LLG areas are subdivided into wards and those into census units.[2]
[edit] Members of the National Parliament
The province and each district is represented by a Member of the National Parliament. There is one provincial electorate and each district is an open electorate. The following table lists Members before and after the 2007 general election.
| Electorate | Previous member (party) | 2007 winner (party) |
|---|---|---|
| Western Highlands Provincial | Paias Wingti (PDM) | Tom Olga (Independent) [3] |
| Angalimp-South Wahgi Open | Jamie Maxtone-Graham (PCP) | Jamie Maxtone-Graham (PCP) [4] |
| Baiyer-Mul Open | Kuri Kingal (PDM) | Sani Rambi (NA) [5][6] |
| Dei Open | Melchior Pep (RDP) | Puri Ruing (PNGP) [4] |
| Hagen Open | William Duma (URP) | William Duma (URP) [5] |
| Jimi Open | Francis Kunai (PNP) | Waka Goi (PNGP) [6] |
| North Wahgi Open | Michael Kal (PNP) | Benjamin Mul (PNGP) [7] |
| Tambul-Nebilyer Open | Mark Anis (PDM) | Benjamin Poponawa (elected as Independent then joined NA)[8] |
[edit] References
- ^ "PNG to create two new provinces", Sydney Morning Herald, July 15, 2009
- ^ National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea
- ^ "Wingti ousted". The National. 2007-08-07. http://www.thenational.com.pg/080707/nation1.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
- ^ a b "Two more declared in WHP". Post Courier Online. http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20070731/news09.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
- ^ a b "95 candidates declared". The National. http://www.thenational.com.pg/073007/nation4.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
- ^ a b "NA's Rambi deposes PDM man Kingal". The National. http://www.thenational.com.pg/073107/nation12.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
- ^ "Mum raped, homes burnt". Post Courier Online. http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20070730/news09.htm. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
- ^ "Poponawa unseats Anis, will join NA". The National. http://www.thenational.com.pg/080207/nation23.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
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