New Guinea: East is East and West is West

The book explores the contrasting histories and cultures of Papua New Guinea and West New Guinea, highlighting their shared island yet distinct paths shaped by colonization and geography. It delves into trade practices, linguistic diversity, and the impact of World War II on each region. The differing colonial approaches—Dutch neglect in the west versus exploitation in the east—led to divergent post-war developments, with PNG moving towards independence and WNG remaining under Indonesian control. The final chapter addresses the complexities of mining and land ownership issues in both areas.