Western New Guinea, formerly Irian Jaya in Indonesian, now Papua, is a region of Indonésie located in New Guinea. It is the world's third largest island. Indonésie owns the western part of the island, while the other half belongs to Papua New Guinea, an independent nation.

Bordered by the Arafura Sea to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the north, it is also surrounded by the Moluccas to the west and Australia to the south.

Thus, Western New Guinea is divided into two provinces: Papua, whose capital is Jayapura, and West Papua, administered by the city of Manokwari. Its area covers 420,540 km². Very few visitors venture to Papua. Indeed, special authorization is required to stay there, and the government rarely grants it.

The Papuans, the emblematic people of Papua

This region of Indonésie is recognized worldwide for its rich cultural heritage and ancestral tribal traditions. The Papuans form the principal ethnic group of Papua and encompass several distinct peoples such as the Dani, the Lani, the Asmat, and the Korowai. There is also a notable presence of other Chinese and Indonesian minorities resulting from government migration policies.

Western New Guinea is home to more than 3 million inhabitants. While this number is substantial, it represents only 1.5% of the total population of the Indonesian archipelago. The terrain in Papua is difficult to access due to its mountainous landscape dominated by jungle. There are numerous mountain ranges. Thus, Puncak Jaya reaches an altitude of 5,020 meters: it is Indonésie's highest peak.

Beyond Bahasa Indonesia, the official Indonesian language, hundreds of Papuan and Austronesian dialects are spoken. These languages vary depending on the tribes and regions in Western New Guinea.

The majority of the population follows the Christian faith, though many still maintain animistic beliefs. Other inhabitants are generally Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist.

Papua, a land of rich and coveted resources

The inhabitants live mainly from agriculture, notably the production of nutmeg and cocoa. New Guinea is renowned for its abundant natural, mineral, and geological resources. Indeed, significant mining operations extract nickel, cobalt, gold, and copper. The latter two rank among the world's largest reserves. Foreign oil companies also exploit petroleum and natural gas deposits in Papua.

This unequal distribution of wealth is one reason the population seeks the region's independence. Despite political and social unrest, the government is keen to develop eco-tourism in Papua. The region boasts numerous national natural parks such as Lorentz and Teluk Cenderawasih. Other highly promising tourist destinations are worth visiting, such as the Baliem Valley or the paradise islands of Raja Ampat, to the north.