| a large island N of Australia, politically divided into the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya (West Irian) and the independent country of Papua New Guinea. 2,800,000; ab. 316,000 sq. mi. (818,000 sq. km). |
| New Guinea An island in the southwest Pacific Ocean north of Australia. The western half is part of Indonesia, and the eastern half forms the major portion of Papua New Guinea. Inhabited by Papuan, Negrito, and Melanesian peoples, it was named by 16th century explorers for the Guinea coast of western Africa. New Guinean adj. & n. |
| New Guinea, Trust Territory of A former trust territory of Australia consisting of northeast New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. Placed under Australian jurisdiction after World War II, it was gradually broken up between 1963 and 1973. |
Island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, north of Australia. The western half of the island is administered by Indonesia.
Note: New Guinea is the world's second-largest island, after Greenland.
Note: It was named for its resemblance to the Guinea coast of western Africa.