The Admiralty Islands
Admiralty Islands, a group of about 18 islands forming part of the Bismarck Archipelago in the southwest Pacific Ocean. They are part of the country of Papua New Guinea. The islands are about 200 miles (320 km) off the northern coast of New Guinea and have a total area of about 850 square miles (2,200 km2). Manus, the largest island, is 65 miles (105 km) long and up to 17 miles (27 km) wide. It has an area of 633 square miles (1,639 km2).
Most of the islands are coral formations, and a few, including Manus, are of volcanic origin. The highest peak, on Manus, is 2,136 feet (651 m) above sea level. The islands, lying just south of the Equator, have a hot, humid tropical climate with an average yearly temperature of 80º F. (27º C.). Rainfall is between 130 and 250 inches (3,300-6,350 mm) annually. Growing coconuts and diving for pearl shell are the leading economic activities. The people are primitive Papuans of Melanesian origin with a well-established tribal civilization. Lorengau, on Manus, is the main port and administrative center for the islands.
The islands were discovered in 1616 by Willem Schouten, a Dutch navigator. They were annexed by Germany in 1884, and after World War I were governed by Australia under a League of Nations mandate. During World War II the Japanese occupied the islands. After the war they became a United Nations trusteeship administered by Australia. During 1949-75 they were administratively a part of the Trust Territory of New Guinea, which became part of independent Papua New Guinea in 1975.
Population: 32,830.