Features of Socio-Economic Development of the Indonesian Province of West Papua (Part 1.)

Abstract

The article analyzes the features of socio-economic development of the province of West Papua. The Western part of the island of New Guinea, now the province of Papua and West Papua, has been part of the Republic Indonesia since 1963. During this period, the territory previously populated predominantly by Papuan tribes, have been substantially Malayali, and currently, people from other parts of Indonesia, who is mainly Mongoloids, make up not less than a half of the local population. For more than five decades, the Central authorities of Indonesia have made some efforts for the economic development of Papua, as well as the introduction of the local population to more modern forms of economy.