Page 103 - Diving Indonesia 21 November 2019
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reviously known as
Irian Jaya the region
Pwas divided into two
provinces in 2002; Papua
and West Papua. West
Papua is also known as Historically West Papua was under the control of the
the ‘Bird’s Head Peninsula’ Dutch, forming part of the Dutch East Indies, and even
due to its shape and it after Indonesia’s Independence in 1949 it was not until
encompasses both the 1969 after much turmoil and conflict that the region was
Peninsula and the islands of handed back from the Dutch to Indonesia – this was a
Misool, Salawati, Batanta move which was not welcomed by a large proportion of
and Waigeo known as the inhabitants of West Papua. There is still a movement
Raja Ampat which literally within the region for freedom from Indonesia – which for
the most part is peaceful.
translates to ‘Four Kings’.
The predominant religion West Papua’s climate is hot and humid all year round – the
is Christian (approximately dense rainforests combined with elevation of the Maoke
60%) whilst almost 40% of Mountain range which runs through the region ensures a
the population is Muslim. tropical environment with a good supply of rain.
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