Goroka - City of Papua New Guinea
Goroka is the capital of the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea. It has an airport and is on the "Highlands Highway", about 285km from Lae in Morobe province and 90km from nearby town of Kainantu also in the Eastern Highlands. Other nearby towns include Kundiawa in Simbu Province and Mount Hagen in Western Highlands Province. It has a mild climate, known as a "perpetual Spring".
It is the home of several national institutions; CRMF Christian Radio Missionay Fellowship, the PNG Institute of Medical Research, the National Film Institute, the Melanesian Institute, the Raun Raun Theatre Company and the University of Goroka. Several NGOs also have presences there, including Oxfam and Save the Children. The town's single largest hotel is the Bird of Paradise, owned by the Coral Seas Hotels chain. Goroka is also the home of the Asaro Mudmen.
Coffee is a common cash crop in the area; smaller industries include trout farms, pigs, bee keeping and food gardens.
In May Goroka hosts the PNG Coffee Festival.
The renowned Goroka Show is held every year for three days on independence weekend. The Goroka Show is the oldest show in Papua New Guinea, over 50 years of "keeping the spirit alive".
Goroka is the birthplace of Eleanor Rachel Penney and Stanley Gene.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA National Bird : Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise PAPUA NEW GUINEA National Game : Rugby League
|