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Mendi
Mendi is located in Papua New Guinea
Mendi
Mendi
Location within Papua New Guinea
Coordinates: 6°8′52″S 143°39′26″E / 6.14778°S 143.65722°E / -6.14778; 143.65722
CountryPapua New Guinea
ProvinceSouthern Highlands
DistrictMendi-Munihu District
LLGMendi Urban
Elevation
1,620 m (5,310 ft)
Population
 (2013)
 • Total56,055
 • Rank10th
Languages
 • Main languagesTok Pisin, Angal, Kewa
 • Traditional languageAngal
Time zoneUTC+10 (AEST)
Postcode
251
ClimateCfb

Mendi, Papua New Guinea, is the provincial capital of the Southern Highlands Province. The Lai River flows by the town.[1][2] It is served by Mendi Airport. The town falls under Mendi Urban LLG.

Geography

The town is located in the Mendi River Valley, 1,675 metres or 5,495 feet above sea level, on the limestone hills from west to east.[3] The Kikori River originates from the mountainous area where Mendi is located, and the Erave and Strickland rivers flow through the Giluwe Mountains, which contain the second highest peak of Papua New Guinea.

Climate

The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as a subtropical highland climate (Cfb).[4] Mendi features cool mornings, warm afternoons and heavy rainfall throughout the year.

Climate data for Mendi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 23.8
(74.8) 		23.6
(74.5) 		23.4
(74.1) 		23.6
(74.5) 		23.6
(74.5) 		22.6
(72.7) 		21.9
(71.4) 		22.3
(72.1) 		22.7
(72.9) 		23.3
(73.9) 		23.7
(74.7) 		23.7
(74.7) 		23.2
(73.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 18.3
(64.9) 		18.3
(64.9) 		18.2
(64.8) 		18.2
(64.8) 		18.2
(64.8) 		17.1
(62.8) 		16.8
(62.2) 		17.2
(63.0) 		17.5
(63.5) 		17.6
(63.7) 		17.8
(64.0) 		18.2
(64.8) 		17.8
(64.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 12.8
(55.0) 		13.1
(55.6) 		13.1
(55.6) 		12.8
(55.0) 		12.8
(55.0) 		11.7
(53.1) 		11.8
(53.2) 		12.1
(53.8) 		12.4
(54.3) 		12
(54) 		11.9
(53.4) 		12.7
(54.9) 		12.4
(54.4)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 239
(9.4) 		261
(10.3) 		286
(11.3) 		246
(9.7) 		209
(8.2) 		192
(7.6) 		211
(8.3) 		244
(9.6) 		263
(10.4) 		270
(10.6) 		221
(8.7) 		252
(9.9) 		2,894
(114)
Source: Climate-Data.org, altitude: 1,740 metres (5,710 ft)[4]

Economy

Mendi's population is dense and the economy is relatively good. Crops grown in the town and its surrounding areas include vegetables, coffee, and tea; there is also a sawmill in the town.[5] Mendi is mostly dependent on air transport, though there is road access through the nearby town of Mount Hagen.[3]

2018 State of Emergency

In June 2018, a regional court in Mendi ruled against a losing candidate's challenge to a provincial election. Rioting followed, with looting and arson, including to a Link PNG plane at the regional airport.[6] The central government of Papua New Guinea declared a state of emergency, suspended the Southern Highlands provincial government, and sent over 200 Defence Force troops to maintain order. The state of emergency lasted for 9 months.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Naime, Quintina (26 April 2016). "Lai River footbridge in danger of collapsing". Loop. Papua New Guinea. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018.
  2. ^ Irion, G.; Petr, T. (1983). "Clay mineralogy of selected soils and sediments of the Purari River basin". In Petr, T. (ed.). The Purari — tropical environment of a high rainfall river basin. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer Verlag. pp. 91–92. ISBN 978-94-009-7263-6.
  3. ^ a b "Mendi | Melanesia, Highlands, Culture | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Climate: Mendi - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Mendi youths take up farming – The National". www.thenational.com.pg. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  6. ^ "'It's so scary': Angry protesters burn plane in PNG's Highlands". ABC News. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  7. ^ Australian Broadcasting Commission, 'Papua New Guinea declares nine-month state of emergency over riots', 16 June 2018.


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