Here's why:
* Estimated Number of Languages: Papua New Guinea is estimated to have around 840 distinct languages, making it the country with the highest number in the world.
* Language Density: This means that, on average, there are many languages spoken within a relatively small area.
* Endangered Languages: Sadly, many of these languages are facing endangerment due to various factors, including the dominance of English and other major languages.
While Papua New Guinea holds the record for the most languages, other countries also boast significant linguistic diversity. These include:
* India: With over 121 languages officially recognized and hundreds more spoken, India exhibits immense language diversity.
* Indonesia: Home to over 700 languages, Indonesia has a rich and diverse linguistic landscape.
* Nigeria: More than 500 languages are spoken in Nigeria, making it another nation with significant linguistic variation.
Ultimately, choosing the "most diverse" country is subjective and depends on how you define diversity. Papua New Guinea, however, stands out for the sheer number of languages spoken within its borders.