Coordinates: 5°40′S 144°30′E / 5.667°S 144.5°E / -5.667; 144.5

Western Highlands
Flag of Western Highlands
Statistics
Capital:	Mount Hagen
Area:	8,500 km² (17th)
Districts:	Anglimp-South Waghi District Dei District Mount Hagen District Mul-Baiyer District Jimi District North Waghi District Tambul-Nebilyer District
Population: (as of 2000)	440,025 (3rd)
Population Density:	51.8
Governor: (since 2007)	Tom Olga
Map
Map of Papua New Guinea highlighting Western Highlands

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.

[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] The remaining area, comprising the rest of Anglimp-South Waghi District, Dei District, Mount Hagen District, Mul-Baiyer District, and Tambul-Nebilyer District, will retain the name "Western Highlands Province".

"Jiwaka" is a portanteau word combining the first two letters each of Jimi, Waghi and Kambia.

[edit] References

v • d • e Provinces of Papua New Guinea Bougainville1 · Central · Eastern Highlands · East New Britain · East Sepik · Enga · Gulf · Madang · Manus · Milne Bay · Morobe · New Ireland · Oro (Northern) · Sandaun (West Sepik) · Simbu (Chimbu) · Southern Highlands · Western · Western Highlands · West New Britain National Capital District (Port Moresby) 1 Autonomous region.

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