Papua New Guinea Introduction 2001

Background: The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997, after claiming some 20,000 lives.

NOTE: The information regarding Papua New Guinea on this page is re-published from the 2001 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Papua New Guinea Introduction 2001 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Papua New Guinea Introduction 2001 should be addressed to the CIA.