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Papuan Peninsula

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Papuan Peninsula is a large piece of land. It sits in Papua New Guinea. It is at the southeast end of New Guinea island.

Some people call it the Bird's Tail Peninsula. This area is a very important part of the region. It is located southeast of the city of Lae. It makes up the southeastern portion of the island.

This land is part of a big mountain group. We call these the Owen Stanley Range. The mountains are the eastern end of the New Guinea Highlands.

The area has many high, rocky peaks. One peak is named Mount Victoria. It reaches a height of 4,038 meters. Another high point is Mount Suckling. It is 3,676 meters tall.

People live near the water in this region. On the south coast, you will find a major city. This city is Port Moresby. It is the largest city in Papua New Guinea. It also serves as the capital city.

The city sits right by the sea. It is a busy place for the country.

Many people look at the shape of the island. They say it looks like a bird. The Bird's Tail Peninsula is at the southeast end. The Bird's Head Peninsula is at the northwest end.

During World War II, American soldiers saw it differently. They thought the island looked like a turkey. They used the bird's body to explain where things happened.

Different people see different shapes in the land. Some people see a lizard instead of a bird.

This peninsula is a unique part of the island. It has high mountains and coastal cities. It is a place of many different features. You can find rainforests in the southeast.

The land is full of natural wonder.

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