West Irian, also known as West Papua, is a province in Indonesia. The spelling of the word "Irian" is based on the Indonesian pronunciation of the region's original name, "Irian Jaya". The IPA phonetic transcription for "West Irian" is /wɛst ˈɪriən/. The "w" sound is pronounced as in the English word "west", while the "e" is pronounced as in "bed". The "s" sounds like the "s" in "sit". The "t" is pronounced as "t" in "stop", and "ɪriən" is pronounced as "ih-ree-ən."
West Irian refers to the western region of the island of New Guinea, located in the continent of Oceania and administratively known as Papua province in Indonesia. This term is primarily used in a historical context, as the name West Irian was used prior to the official re-designation of the region as Irian Jaya in the 1970s and later as Papua.
West Irian is characterized by its mountainous terrain and rich biodiversity, including vast rainforests, unique wildlife species, and diverse indigenous cultures. The region is home to several indigenous tribes, such as the Dani, Asmat, and Yali people, who have inhabited the area for thousands of years.
Historically, West Irian came under Dutch colonial rule during the 19th century and was known as Dutch New Guinea. After Indonesia gained independence from the Netherlands in 1949, West Irian remained under Dutch control. However, in the 1960s, the territory became a subject of dispute between Indonesia and the Netherlands, leading to a period of political tension and negotiations.
The 1962 New York Agreement paved the way for the transfer of administrative control over West Irian to Indonesia, which also resulted in a controversial referendum known as the Act of Free Choice in 1969. Following this event, the region was officially integrated into Indonesia and its name was changed to Irian Jaya.
In summary, West Irian refers to the western region of New Guinea, which is now known as Papua province in Indonesia. Its history is marked by colonial rule and subsequent integration into Indonesia, along with its diverse indigenous cultures and significant natural resources.
The term "West Irian" refers to the western part of the island of New Guinea, and its etymology can be traced back to the colonial era.
In the mid-19th century, European powers began to colonize various parts of the world, including the island of New Guinea. The western half of the island was initially colonized by the Dutch, who named it "Nederlands-Nieuw-Guinea" (Netherlands New Guinea).
In the early 1960s, as the Dutch began to prepare for the decolonization of the territory, discussions were held regarding its future status. In 1961, the indigenous population of the territory came up with the name "West Papua" to represent their aspirations for independence and self-governance.
However, the Dutch administration and the Indonesian government, which had gained independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1949, negotiated the transfer of the territory to Indonesia.