Sightseeing in Irian Jaya

Irian Jaya, or West Papua, is Indonesia's largest province. It is half of the world's second biggest island, the other half being Papua New Guinea. The capital city is Jayapura. The original ethnic people are Papuans. About 3/4 of the province is covered with thick, wild rainforest. There are mountains that are always capped in snow, valleys with glacier lakes, wonderful beaches and huge areas of marshland.

Irian Jaya is famous for its beautiful Birds of Paradise but it has few native animals, and these are similar to Australian animals.

Lake Sentani, a short trip from Jayapura, is a place where local traditions can be observed and magnificent scenery enjoyed. The Asmat people living along the southeast coast are famous for their woodcarving.

There are islands off the coast to visit. Biak Island, off the east coast, offers excellent swimming and skin-diving. Supiori Island nearby has a forest and villages where visitors can see traditional lifestyles. At Korem, off the north coast, visitors can watch pearl divers at work.

Travellers can get to Jayapura and to Biak by boat from Jakarta, Surabaya and Ujung Padang.

If you use any of this information in your own work, acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this:
A Trip to Indonesia (2001). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au

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Updated August 2001