Lae is the capital of Morobe Province and serves as the second-largest city in Papua New Guinea. It is situated on the northern coast of Huon Gulf, located near the delta of the Markham River.
The city functions as the industrial hub of Papua New Guinea and hosts the country's largest cargo port. It marks the starting point of the Highlands Highway, which serves as the primary land transport corridor connecting the coastal areas to the Highlands Region. Often referred to as the Garden City, Lae is also home to the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.