LAE

port city, northeastern Papua New Guinea. It is located near the mouth of the Markham River on Huon Gulf. Commercial activities centre on the export of timber, plywood, and coffee (transported by road from Bulolo and Wau) and the produce from the Central Range, which is airfreighted. Lae is also the marketing centre for the agricultural produce of the surrounding region. The city originated as Lehe mission settlement and developed around an airport that was built in 1928 by Guinea Airways, Ltd. Although it was selected in 193839 to replace Rabaul as territorial capital, the transfer never took place because Lae was completely destroyed during World War II. It was later reconstructed with new wharves at Milfordhaven, sawmills and veneer mills, an abattoir, and modern amenities. It contains a war cemetery and botanical gardens. The Papua New Guinea University of Technology, founded in 1965, is located 6 miles (10 km) outside the city. Pop. (1990) 80,655.