Papua facts for kids
Papua is a name used for a large island in the Pacific Ocean and for several countries and regions on it. This island is known for its amazing nature, unique animals, and many different cultures.
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The Island of New Guinea
The island of New Guinea is the second-largest island in the world, right after Greenland. It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, north of Australia. The island is split into two main parts. The eastern half is home to the country of Papua New Guinea. The western half is part of Indonesia.
This huge island is famous for its incredible biodiversity. It has dense rainforests, tall mountains, and wide rivers. Many plants and animals found here exist nowhere else on Earth. Scientists are still discovering new species in its remote areas.
Countries and Regions
The name "Papua" is part of the names of several places on or near the island of New Guinea. These places have different histories and governments.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is an independent country that covers the eastern half of the island of New Guinea. It also includes many smaller islands nearby. The country became independent from Australia in 1975. Before that, it was managed by Australia for many years.
Papua New Guinea is known for its incredible cultural diversity. Over 800 different languages are spoken there, and many unique traditions exist. The capital city is Port Moresby. The country's economy relies on natural resources like minerals, oil, and gas, as well as agriculture.
Papua Region
Within the country of Papua New Guinea, there is a specific area called the Papua Region. This region is located in the southern part of the country. It is one of the four main regions that make up Papua New Guinea.
Indonesian Papua
The western half of the island of New Guinea belongs to Indonesia. This part is often called Western New Guinea. It is divided into several provinces, which are like states.
Papua Province
One of these provinces is called Papua Province. It is the largest province in Indonesia by area. Its capital city is Jayapura. This province has a very diverse landscape, from coastal areas to high mountains.
West Papua Province
Another province in Indonesian New Guinea is West Papua Province. It is located on the Bird's Head Peninsula, which is the northwestern part of the island. Its capital city is Manokwari. Both Papua and West Papua provinces are rich in natural resources and have unique indigenous cultures.
Historical Territories
In the past, the name "Papua" was also used for older territories.
Papua (Australian Territory)
Before Papua New Guinea became independent, the southern part of the eastern half of the island was known as the Territory of Papua. This area was managed by Australia from 1906 until 1949. It was then joined with the Territory of New Guinea to form a single administration.
Papuan Languages
The term "Papuan" can also refer to a group of languages. Papuan languages are a large number of languages spoken on the island of New Guinea and some nearby islands. These languages are not related to the Austronesian language family, which includes languages like Indonesian and Tagalog. There are hundreds of different Papuan languages, showing the huge linguistic diversity of the region.
See also
In Spanish: Papúa para niños
