Papua

Papua is the western part of the island of New Guinea, currently divided into two main provinces of Indonesia: Papua and West Papua. This region is renowned for its biodiversity, featuring some of the world’s largest tropical rainforests, and its extraordinarily diverse culture, encompassing hundreds of ethnic groups and indigenous languages.

Historically, Papua was inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years before European arrival. The Dutch colonized the western part of New Guinea in the 19th century, maintaining control until 1963, when it was transferred to Indonesian administration following a United Nations-mediated agreement. This process remains controversial, particularly due to the so-called "Act of Free Choice" in 1969, during which integration with Indonesia was approved by a select group of local leaders under significant pressure.

Papua is known for its breathtaking landscapes, such as the Maoke Mountains with Puncak Jaya, the highest peak in Southeast Asia, and for its wealth of natural resources, including gold and copper. However, the region is also marked by socio-political conflicts stemming from local independence movements and issues related to resource exploitation.