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Who colonized Papua New Guinea?

Who colonized Papua New Guinea?

Papua and New Guinea used to be separate entities, influenced and colonized over 250 years by the Sultanate of Tidore, Holland, Germany, Britain and Japan. In 1885 Germany annexed the northern coast ‘New Guinea’ and Britain annexed the southern regions ‘Papua’.

What race are Papua New Guineans?

One ethnic group found in Papua New Guinea are the Melanesians, also sometimes referred to as the Papuans. Traditionally, Melanesia was comprised of two different types of people, the Papuans (the first to arrive to Melanesia) and Austronesians (who arrived much later).

Where did Papua New Guinea ancestors come from?

They were descendants of migrants out of Africa, in one of the early waves of human migration. Agriculture was independently developed in the New Guinea highlands around 7000 BC, making it one of the few areas in the world where people independently domesticated plants.

What are the official languages of Papua New Guinea?

In 2006, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare stated that “Papua New Guinea has 832 living languages (languages, not dialects),” making it the most linguistically diverse place on Earth. Its official languages are Tok Pisin, English, Hiri Motu, and Papua New Guinean Sign Language.

When did the Portuguese colonize western New Guinea?

In the 16th century, Portuguese explorers arrived at the island and called it Papua. In recent history, western New Guinea was included in the Dutch East Indies colony.

Where is Papua New Guinea located in the world?

Located in Melanesia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, it is separated by the 150 km (81 nmi; 93 mi) wide Torres Strait from Australia. Numerous smaller islands are located to the west and east. The eastern half of the island is the major land mass of the independent state of Papua New Guinea.

Why did the Dutch call Papua New Guinea Nieuw Guinea?

The Dutch, who arrived later under Jacob Le Maire and Willem Schouten, called it Schouten island, but later this name was used only to refer to islands off the north coast of Papua proper, the Schouten Islands or Biak Island. When the Dutch colonized it as part of Netherlands East Indies, they called it Nieuw Guinea.

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Ruth Doyle