Irian JayaIrian Jaya

~A land lost in time~~A land lost in time~

At a glanceAt a glanceIndonesia’s eastern most and largest provinceIndonesia’s eastern most and largest province

Borders Pacific Ocean on the north, Arafuru Sea Borders Pacific Ocean on the north, Arafuru Sea on the south, Papua New Guinea on the east, on the south, Papua New Guinea on the east, Province of Maluku on the west. Province of Maluku on the west.

Remained a Dutch Territory till 1962Remained a Dutch Territory till 1962

Makes up 22% of Indonesia's total land area but Makes up 22% of Indonesia's total land area but only harbours 1% of its populationa only harbours 1% of its populationa

A land of exceptional natural grandeur with A land of exceptional natural grandeur with scenic beaches, immense stretches of scenic beaches, immense stretches of marshlands, meadows and powerful rivers marshlands, meadows and powerful rivers tunneling through primeval forest. tunneling through primeval forest.

GeographyGeography

Area : 421,981 sq. km Area : 421,981 sq. km

(May be divided into the 3 distinct (May be divided into the 3 distinct regions - Baliem Valley, Casuarian coast, regions - Baliem Valley, Casuarian coast, North and West Irian)North and West Irian)

Capital : Jayapura. Capital : Jayapura.

PopulationPopulation: : 2,219,500 (2000). 2,219,500 (2000). Density : 6 persons per sq. km (2000). Density : 6 persons per sq. km (2000).

Climate: Two seasons: wet and dry.Climate: Two seasons: wet and dry.

Map of Irian JayaMap of Irian Jaya

Population make upPopulation make up

250 ethnic groups today250 ethnic groups today

Physically very distinct from other Physically very distinct from other Indonesians in the rest of the archipelago. Indonesians in the rest of the archipelago.

No one really knows exactly the ancestors No one really knows exactly the ancestors of the ethnic tribes.of the ethnic tribes.

Javanese and the Balinese were migrated Javanese and the Balinese were migrated to this island over last few decades.to this island over last few decades.

Most well known tribes are the Dani of the Most well known tribes are the Dani of the Baliem Valley and the Asmat of the south Baliem Valley and the Asmat of the south coastcoast

Population make upPopulation make up

Asmat people and their woodcraft

Dani people of the Baliem Valley

The Korowai tribeAsmat people and their canoe

Population make upPopulation make up

Asmat people believe they were born out of Asmat people believe they were born out of wood and are known for their wood craftswood and are known for their wood crafts

Dani people were known for their ‘koteka’Dani people were known for their ‘koteka’

Before missionaries came to introduce Before missionaries came to introduce western religion, the natives were mostly western religion, the natives were mostly animists. animists.

Indonesian government also intervened in Indonesian government also intervened in stopping animismstopping animism

In remote areas animism is still practiced In remote areas animism is still practiced today today

Places of interestsPlaces of interests

JayapuraJayapuraNeat and pleasant provincial capitalNeat and pleasant provincial capitalBuilt on the slope of a hill overlooking the bayBuilt on the slope of a hill overlooking the bayGeneral Douglas assembled his invasion force General Douglas assembled his invasion force here during World War II here during World War II An assortment of museums, hotels, restaurants, An assortment of museums, hotels, restaurants, banks and markets banks and markets

Lake SentaniLake SentaniFamous primitive arts centre. Famous primitive arts centre. Short trip from Jayapura offers a pleasant Short trip from Jayapura offers a pleasant foretaste of the province's magnificent foretaste of the province's magnificent sceneries.sceneries.

Places of InterestPlaces of InterestThe Baliem Valley The Baliem Valley

Once dubbed Shangri LaOnce dubbed Shangri La

Also called the ‘Stone age Valley’Also called the ‘Stone age Valley’

Incredibly lush and fertile and is surrounded on Incredibly lush and fertile and is surrounded on all sides by towering peaks of 2,500 to 3,000 all sides by towering peaks of 2,500 to 3,000 metres.metres.

Only discovered by westerners in 1938Only discovered by westerners in 1938

Dani and Yali warriors first gained notoriety in Dani and Yali warriors first gained notoriety in the late 1960’s for a group of missionariesthe late 1960’s for a group of missionaries

For the adventurous travellers For the adventurous travellers

Places of InterestPlaces of InterestBiak IslandBiak Island

Formerly served as a major air-stopover on Formerly served as a major air-stopover on trans-pacific flights from Indonesia trans-pacific flights from Indonesia Major attractions are coastal: white sandy Major attractions are coastal: white sandy beaches and extremely accessible shallow water beaches and extremely accessible shallow water coral reefs. coral reefs. Diving and snorkelling here thought by many to Diving and snorkelling here thought by many to be amongst the very best in the world. be amongst the very best in the world.

Yapen IslandYapen Island Offers an experience of true pristine beautyOffers an experience of true pristine beautyMain Island populated by many birds of paradise Main Island populated by many birds of paradise Snorkelling, diving and swimming are as good, if Snorkelling, diving and swimming are as good, if not better, than on nearby Biak. not better, than on nearby Biak.

Places of InterestPlaces of Interest

Morning mist over Baliem Valley

Pristine beauty of Irian Jaya

Lake SentaniBeautiful sunset

Getting thereGetting there

Most common way is to first fly to Most common way is to first fly to UjungPandang, Capital of South SulawesiUjungPandang, Capital of South Sulawesi

Then a connecting flight can be taken to Then a connecting flight can be taken to JayapuraJayapura

Silkair flies direct from Singapore to Silkair flies direct from Singapore to UjungPandang twice a week.UjungPandang twice a week.

Best time to visit Jaya is from May through Best time to visit Jaya is from May through September and December.September and December.

Any visitor needs a surat jalan (travel permit) Any visitor needs a surat jalan (travel permit) to travel through the province to travel through the province

Irian Jaya – a fitting descriptionIrian Jaya – a fitting description

The towering mountains and The towering mountains and primitive cultures of Irian Jaya primitive cultures of Irian Jaya

contrast sharply with the terraced contrast sharply with the terraced hills, and highly sophisticated hills, and highly sophisticated

societies of Bali and Java. societies of Bali and Java.

With the 5030m Jaya Kesum peak, its With the 5030m Jaya Kesum peak, its equatorial glaciers, the undisturbed equatorial glaciers, the undisturbed

jungle of Memberamo and everything jungle of Memberamo and everything else in between, Irian Jaya has it all.else in between, Irian Jaya has it all.

~The End~~The End~