Southern Highlands Province – the high valleys around Mendi
The Southern Highlands lie in the mountainous interior of Papua New Guinea, a country of high valleys, ridges and rivers where gardens climb the slopes and villages are often spread along the hillsides. The town of Mendi, set in a valley ringed by limestone peaks, is the provincial capital and its main centre for trade, schooling and administration. According to the 2021 national census, the province has a population of 927,306, making it one of the most populous in the country. Farming and community life remain at its heart. Members are invited to share their memories, family stories and photographs of the Southern Highlands.