Morobe

Morobe is a province of Papua New Guinea located on the northern coast of the island of New Guinea. It is named after the Morobe River and encompasses lowland coastal areas as well as inland highlands. The provincial capital is Lae, which is the province’s largest city and a major commercial and port center on the Huon Gulf.

Geography in Morobe includes coastal districts along the Huon Gulf and the Markham River valley, with upland rainforest and rugged terrain in the inland areas. The province contains parts of mountain ranges such as the Morobe Range, and extends into sections of the Finisterre and Saruwaged ranges. The landscape supports diverse ecosystems and communities living in coastal, riverine, and highland environments.

Historically, Morobe played a central role in early colonial-era mining, with gold mining activity centered in the Bulolo and Wau areas in the early 20th century. During World War II, the region saw significant fighting around Lae and the Markham Valley, and the Nadzab airstrip near Lae served as a major Allied base.

People and culture in Morobe are diverse, with numerous ethnolinguistic groups and villages. Tok Pisin and English are widely used, alongside many local languages spoken by communities throughout the province.

Economy and infrastructure are centered on Lae, the province’s economic hub and port. The region supports port activity, agriculture (including cocoa, coffee, copra, and palm oil), forestry, and a history of mining near the Lae area. The province is served by the Nadzab Airport and major road networks that connect it with the rest of Papua New Guinea.