Papua (region)
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| Papua (region) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Papua |
| Settlement type | Region |
| Area total km2 | 420540 |
| Population total | 7090000 |
| Population as of | 2020 estimate |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Indonesia; Papua New Guinea |
| Capital | Jayapura; Port Moresby (neighboring) |
Papua (region) Papua is the geographically easternmost large island region of New Guinea and adjacent islands, divided politically between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The region includes provinces such as Papua (province), West Papua (province), and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (formerly North Solomons), and is characterized by rugged highlands like the Central Range (New Guinea), extensive rainforest, and diverse indigenous societies. Papua has been a focal point for colonial encounters involving the Dutch East Indies, German New Guinea, and British New Guinea, as well as postcolonial developments tied to the United Nations and the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority.
Etymology and Definitions
The name "Papua" derives from the Malay language term purportedly used by early Maluku and Makassar traders, later adopted by European explorers such as Alvaro de Saavedra and Yñigo Ortiz de Retez. Colonial administrations used names including Irian Jaya under Sukarno and West Papua (province) under subsequent Suharto era reforms, intersecting with indigenous endonyms like Papuan languages grouping terms. Geographic definitions vary among cartographers citing the Bird's Head Peninsula, the Papuan Gulf, and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands as core components; legal definitions reference boundaries established by treaties such as arrangements following the Dutch–Indonesian Round Table Conference and the New Guinea (island) division after World War II.
Geography and Environment
Papua occupies the eastern half of New Guinea, bordered by the Arafura Sea, the Bismarck Sea, and the Coral Sea, encompassing mountain systems including Puncak Jaya, coastal mangroves of the Fly River delta, and the lowland swamplands of the Sepik River. The region supports high biodiversity hotspots documented by researchers from institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the Australian Museum and hosts endemic taxa such as birds-of-paradise studied by Alfred Russel Wallace and modern ornithologists. Environmental challenges include deforestation linked to companies like Freeport-McMoRan near Grasberg mine, siltation affecting Bismark Sea fisheries, and conservation efforts led by NGOs including Conservation International and WWF collaborating with local councils.
History
Prehistoric settlement of Papua is evidenced by archaeological sites linked to migrations across the Austronesian expansion and earlier Papuan peoples dispersals; pottery and Lapita culture contacts connect to Solomon Islands networks. European contact intensified with expeditions by Jakob Le Maire, William Dampier, and later colonial partitions under Germany and the Netherlands. During World War II, campaigns such as the Battle of Milne Bay and the Kokoda Track campaign involved forces from Australia, United States, and Japan, reshaping local infrastructure. Postwar decolonization saw the integration of western New Guinea into Indonesia after the New York Agreement and United Nations administration, while eastern sectors became the independent state of Papua New Guinea in 1975, followed by internal movements including the Free Papua Movement and the Bougainville conflict culminating in the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Peoples and Languages
Papua is one of the most linguistically diverse areas on Earth, home to hundreds of languages from families such as Trans–New Guinea languages, Austronesian languages, and isolates documented by linguists associated with the Australian National University and the University of Papua New Guinea. Ethnic groups include the Asmat, Huli, Motu, Dani, and Tolai, each with distinct material culture visible in objects exchanged through networks like the Kula ring and ceremonial systems described by ethnographers like Bronislaw Malinowski. Missionary organizations such as the London Missionary Society and the Roman Catholic Church influenced language shift and literacy through Bible translations into languages like Tok Pisin and local vernaculars.
Politics and Administration
Administratively, western New Guinea is divided into Indonesian provinces including Papua (province), West Papua (province), and newly created provinces from decentralization policies enacted by the People's Consultative Assembly. The territory has experienced autonomy arrangements, provincial governor elections overseen by bodies like the General Elections Commission (Indonesia) and central interventions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Indonesia). In the east, the sovereign state of Papua New Guinea operates a parliamentary system based in Port Moresby with provincial governments and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville pursuing referendums facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme and regional forums like the Pacific Islands Forum.
Economy and Infrastructure
Economic activity in Papua centers on extractive industries exemplified by the Grasberg mine (copper and gold), forestry concessions held by corporations such as Asia Pulp & Paper, and fisheries exploiting stocks in the Arafura Sea. Subsistence agriculture remains vital among highland cultivators growing staples like sweet potato, while cash crops such as oil palm introduced by investors including Wilmar International have transformed lowland landscapes. Infrastructure challenges include limited road networks linking hubs like Jayapura and Wewak, reliance on airstrips maintained by Air Niugini and Garuda Indonesia, and development projects financed by partners including the Asian Development Bank.
Culture and Society
Papuan cultural expression is rich in ceremonial art, music, and dance traditions such as the painted shields of the Asmat, the wigmen festivals of the Dani, and the seafaring motifs of Motuan canoe builders. Visual arts and carvings enter international collections curated by institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Australia, while contemporary artists and authors engage with themes of identity, land rights, and globalization in forums including the Melbourne Writers Festival and regional museums. Social issues include land tenure disputes adjudicated in courts like the Supreme Court of Indonesia and public health initiatives coordinated by agencies such as the World Health Organization and national ministries.
Category:Islands of New Guinea Category:Regions of Oceania