Port Moresby [key], town (1990 pop. 193,242), capital of Papua New Guinea, on New Guinea island and on the Gulf of Papua in the National Capital District. Rubber, gold, copra, and natural gas are exported. Port Moresby was founded by Capt. John Moresby, who landed there in 1873. The British occupied it in 1883. During World War II the chief Allied base on New Guinea was there. Since independence, new buildings to house the Parliament, National and Supreme Court, National Museum, and National Library been built in suburban Waigani. The Univ. of Papua New Guinea main and medical campuses are in the suburbs of Waigani and Taurama.
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