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 the country and hosts its largest cargo port. It marks the starting point of the Highlands Highway, which provides the primary land transport corridor between the coastal areas and the Highlands Region. Known as the Garden City, Lae is also home to the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.