West Papua Province, is part of the West Papua region, Indonesia. The capital of West Papua Province is Manokwari. This region has world-class natural potential.

Background

West Papua (abbreviated as Pabar; formerly West Irian Jaya) is an Indonesian province located at the western tip of the island of Papua. The territory of West Papua includes the Bomberai Peninsula and Wandamen. The capital of this province is located in Manokwari. This province was carved out from the Papua Province through Law Number 45 of 1999.

Initially, the formation of this province faced rejection from the community, so the implementation of this division was only carried out through Presidential Instruction Number 1 of 2003. Although on November 11, 2004, the Constitutional Court declared that the legal basis for the establishment of West Irian Jaya Province no longer had binding legal force, the existence of this province was declared valid.

Based on Government Regulation Number 24 of 2007, the name West Irian Jaya was changed to West Papua. West Papua, as a division of Papua Province, is a province with special autonomy status.

In a parliamentary session on November 17, 2022, the Law on the division of West Papua Province was approved by the Indonesian parliament.

Geographical Aspects of West Papua Province

West Papua Province is located between 0-4 degrees South Latitude and between 124-132 degrees East Longitude. This region lies below the equator at an elevation of 0-100 meters above sea level. The land area of ​​West Papua Province is approximately 99,671.63 square kilometers.

The boundaries of West Papua Province are as follows: the northern part borders the Pacific Ocean, the eastern part borders Papua Province, the southern part borders the Banda Sea (Maluku Province), and the western part borders the Seram Sea (Maluku Province).

Administrative Regions

West Papua Province is headquartered in Manokwari. Administratively, West Papua Province consists of 7 districts, 21 urban villages, and 803 rural villages. The districts and cities in West Papua Province are as follows:

• Fakfak District: Capital Fakfak
• Kaimana District: Capital Kaimana
• Manokwari District: Capital Manokwari
• South Manokwari District: Capital South Manokwari
• Arfak Mountains District: Capital Anggi
• Bintuni Bay District: Capital Bintuni
• Wondama Bay District: Capital Rasiei

Demographic Aspects of West Papua Province

Based on the 2020 Population Census by the Central Statistics Agency, the population of West Papua Province is approximately 1.13 million people with a population growth rate of 3.94 percent per year. Of this population, 84.55 percent are residents according to Identity of Population and 15.45 percent are residents not according to Identity of Population.

Cultural Aspects of West Papua Province

West Papua has various cultures that are part of the lives of its people, one of which is the Thousand Foot House. The Thousand Foot House is the original traditional house of the Arfak tribe in Manokwari Regency, West Papua. This traditional house is known as Mod Aki Aksa or Igkojei. The house is shaped like a stage with foundation pillars spread throughout the bottom of the house and serves as the main support for the building, hence it is called the Thousand Foot House.

Suanggi Dance is a traditional dance from West Papua. This dance is the expression of the people of West Papua towards the magical nuances in the region. The dance is performed when there is a resident who has passed away.

Potential of West Papua Province

West Papua has natural potential in the form of caves claimed to be the deepest caves in the world. The caves discovered by a French speleological expedition team are estimated to have a depth of up to 2,000 meters. These caves are located in the Lina mountainous area, Irameba Village, Anggi District, Manokwari Regency.

The Arfak Mountains located in the ‘head-brain of the Papua bird’ are a natural reserve with an area of ​​63,325 hectares and a height of 2,940 meters above sea level.