Who named Papua New Guinea?

The word papua is derived from an old local term of uncertain origin. “New Guinea” (Nueva Guinea) was the name coined by the Spanish explorer Yñigo Ortiz de Retez. In 1545, he noted the resemblance of the people to those he had earlier seen along the Guinea coast of Africa.

Why is Papua named New Guinea?

The country was named in the 19th century: the word “Papua” is derived from a Malay word describing the frizzy Melanesian hair, and “New Guinea” (Nueva Guinea) was the name coined by the Spanish explorer Yñigo Ortiz de Retez, who in 1545 noted the resemblance of the people to those he had earlier seen along the Guinea …

What did Papua New Guinea used to be called?

The administration of British New Guinea was passed to Australia in 1904, and its name was changed to the Territory of Papua. Following World War I, German New Guinea was taken over by Australia as a mandated territory of the League of Nations in 1921.

Why did Papua New Guinea split?

It was during the era when Dutch, German, British (Australia later) decided to split New Guinea island into two. West Papua belongs to the Dutch, East Papua was then split again into two, the northern part belongs to the German and southern part belongs to British (Australia later).

Which country colonized Papua New Guinea?

During World War I, Papua New Guinea was occupied by Australia, which had begun administering British New Guinea, the southern part, as the re-named Papua in 1904. After World War I, Australia was given a mandate to administer the former German New Guinea by the League of Nations.

How did PNG get independence?

Elections in 1972 resulted in the formation of a ministry headed by Chief Minister Michael Somare, who pledged to lead the country to self-government and then to independence. Papua New Guinea became self-governing on 1 December 1973 and achieved independence on 16 September 1975.

Who wrote the Constitution of Papua New Guinea?

Papa New Guinea’s constitution was written by Sir John Kaputin and Sir Michael Somare in 1935.

How did Julius Chan became prime minister in 1980?

Chan first became prime minister on 11 March 1980, succeeding the country’s first prime minister, Michael Somare. Chan was defeated in the national election in June 1997 and was succeeded as prime minister by Bill Skate on 22 July 1997.

How did Papua New Guinea get its name?

Papua New Guinea, located in southeast Asia, was given its name by a Spanish explorer who saw resemblance of the people in Papua New Guinae with those who he had seen along the Guinea coast in Africa. Papua is a term local to the island.

How was Papua New Guinea administered during World War II?

Papua was administered under the Papua Act until World War II, when Japanese forces invaded the northern parts of the islands in 1941 and began to advance on Port Moresby, suspending civil administration.

How were Papua New Guineans chosen to live in towns?

The first Papua New Guineans to live in towns were men. Many workers were chosen from nearby villages to which they were expected to return at night, but some lived in servants’ quarters ( boi haus ) or company barracks.

When did New Guinea become part of the British Empire?

On November 6, 1884, a British protectorate was proclaimed over the southern coast of New Guinea (the area called Papua) and its adjacent islands. The protectorate, called British New Guinea, was annexed outright on September 4, 1888.