Lae

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Lae is the second largest city of Papua New Guinea with a population of approx 120,000. It is located on the Huon Gulf on the north coast of PNG, close to the mouth of the Markham River. It is the capital of the Morobe province and considered the industrial capital of PNG.

Lae is at the start of the Highlands Highway which is the main land transport corridor from the Highlands region to the coast. It is also the largest cargo port of the country and is also the home of the University of Technology or 'Unitech'.

[edit] History

The town was born in the gold rush era of the 1920's and 30's. Like numerous PNG towns it sprung up around an airstrip. Cargo arrived in Lae and then was transported by air to the goldfields in Wau.

In July 1937 Lae made world news when American aviator, Amelia Earhart, was last seen flying out of the airport on her way back to the USA. She was never seen again.

When the volcanic eruptions occurred in Rabaul in 1937 a decision was made to transfer the capital of the Territory of New Guinea to Lae. World War II got in the way of the transfer and in 1942 the town was occupied by the Empire of Japan. Lae, Rabaul and Salamaua became the major Japanese bases in New Guinea.

In mid-1943, after defeats in the Kokoda Track campaign, the Battle of Buna-Gona and at the Battle of Wau, the Japanese were forced to retreat to Lae and Salamaua. However, the Lae campaign involved many weeks of fierce fighting, before the town fell to the Allies on September 16.

Lae's development after the war is directly linked to the development of the highlands. Coffee and Tea were being grown and a port was needed. Later priority was given on road access, and the Highlands Highway came into existence. During the mineral boom of the 1980's and 90's Lae's importance as an economic hub became clearer.

In 1991 Lae and Port Moresby hosted the South Pacific Games

Lae is currently known for its high rainfall and great number of potholes in the roads that earned it the nickname "Pothole City".