Papua (province)

Papua (province)
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Name	Papua
Native name	Provinsi Papua
Settlement type	Province of Indonesia
Coordinates	4, S, 138, E...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Indonesia
Established title	Established as province
Established date	1969
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Jayapura
Leader title	Governor
Leader name	Ridwan Rumasukun (Acting)
Area total km2	319036.05
Population total	1,035,000
Population as of	mid 2023
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	WIT
Utc offset	+9
Website	papua.go.id

Papua (province) Papua is a province of Indonesia, comprising the western half of the island of New Guinea. It is historically significant as the final major territory in Southeast Asia to be formally claimed and administered by the Dutch, with its colonial period lasting from the late 19th century until 1962. The province's integration into Indonesia following a controversial United Nations-supervised act is a direct legacy of the decolonization process and remains a central issue in the region's post-colonial politics.

History

The western half of New Guinea, historically known as Dutch New Guinea, remained under Dutch control after the Indonesian National Revolution and the recognition of Indonesia's independence in 1949. While the former Dutch East Indies archipelago became Indonesia, the Netherlands retained sovereignty over this territory, arguing its distinct Melanesian character. This period, from 1949 to 1962, is often referred to as "Netherlands New Guinea". The territory became a point of intense diplomatic and military conflict between the Netherlands and Indonesia, which claimed it as its own. The dispute was ultimately resolved through international intervention, leading to the New York Agreement of 1962, which transferred administration to Indonesia via a temporary UN administration.

Geography and Demographics

Papua is located on the western half of the island of New Guinea, the world's second-largest island. It shares a land border with the independent nation of Papua New Guinea to the east. The province's terrain is dominated by the rugged Maoke Mountains, which include Puncak Jaya, the highest peak in Indonesia and the highest island peak in the world. Dense tropical rainforest covers much of the land. The population is predominantly indigenous Melanesian, consisting of hundreds of distinct ethnic and linguistic groups, such as the Dani, Asmat, and Yali. The capital and largest city is Jayapura, originally established by the Dutch as Hollandia.

Dutch Colonial Administration

Formal Dutch control over western New Guinea was consolidated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, though effective administration was largely limited to coastal areas. The territory was administered separately from the rest of the Dutch East Indies. Following World War II and Indonesian independence, the Netherlands initiated a policy of preparing Dutch New Guinea for eventual self-determination. This included establishing a local naval force, the Papuan Volunteer Corps, and a legislative council, the New Guinea Council. The Dutch also promoted the development of a distinct Papuan identity, including the introduction of a national flag and anthem, with the goal of creating an independent Papuan state. This policy directly conflicted with Sukarno's Indonesian government, which launched a campaign of diplomatic pressure and military infiltration known as the Trikora campaign.

Integration into Indonesia

The transfer of authority was formalized by the New York Agreement in August 1962. Administration was briefly held by the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA) before being handed to Indonesia on 1 May 1963. The agreement stipulated that an Act of Free Choice would be held before 1969 to allow the Papuan population to decide their political future. In 1969, this act was conducted, but instead of a universal vote, Indonesian authorities consulted 1,025 handpicked tribal leaders, who unanimously voted for integration. This process, widely criticized by international observers and Papuan activists as the "Act of No Choice", led to the formal incorporation of the territory as Indonesia's 26th province, named Irian Jaya. The legitimacy of this integration remains disputed and is the root of a prolonged low-level conflict and independence movement.

Economy and Natural Resources

The provincial economy is heavily dependent on the extraction of natural resources, a pattern that began during the late colonial period. The discovery of vast mineral wealth, particularly at the Grasberg gold and copper mine operated by the American company Freeport-McMoRan, has made the region economically vital to Indonesia. The mine is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Other significant resources include tropical timber, natural gas, and potential palm oil plantations. However, the economic benefits have largely flowed to the central government in Jakarta and multinational corporations, leading to widespread perceptions of economic inequality and exploitation among the indigenous population, fueling grievances related to the colonial and post-colonial experience.

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