Papua New Guinea's finest people and places - Manus Province
Map of Papua New Guinea highlighting Manus
Manus Province is the smallest province in Papua New Guinea with a land area of 2,100 km², but with more than 220,000 km² of water. The capital of the province is Lorengau and the total population is 43,387 (2000 census).
The province is made up of the Admiralty Islands (a group of 18 islands in the Bismarck Archipelago) and Wuvulu Island and nearby atolls in the west. The largest island in the group is Manus Island where Lorengau is located.
Named after German explorer Manus Sylvester, whose ship the Rouge et Noir brought the first Europeans to the province in 1868. The province became a German protectorate in 1880 and an Australian mandate in 1920.
During World War II the occupied by the Japanese who established a small base in April 1942 near the village of Rossun on Manus Island. They also built the first landing strip entirely by manpower at the eastern Point of Los Negros Island in Momote.
On February 29, 1944 during World War II, the Admiralty Islands were invaded in Operation Brewer led by American General Douglas MacArthur. The Americans quickly built a big base at Seeadler Harbor, including harbour, wharves and an airbase, which became an important base for the further war operations in New Guinea as well as on the Philippines. The base is today used by the PNG Defence Force.
The primary industries are coconut cultivation and pearl fishing. Among scuba divers, the Islands have a reputation as a good diving destination with colorful marine life, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and clear water. The Current Governor of the Province is Michael T Sapau.
posted by whponline @ 9:09 AM
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