Biak
Tekst van Vademecum voor Nederlands-Nieuw-Guinea, 1956 komt binnenkort!
Biak, Capital of the Geelvinkbay division and the Schouten Islands subdivision.
Source: Handbook on Netherlands New Guinea, 1958
| Population |
Papuans |
Europeans |
Asiatics |
Total |
| Subdivision |
32,800 |
2,629 |
541 |
35,970 |
| Capital |
2,652 |
2,614 |
424 |
5,690 |
In the same way as Hollandia, Biak was of little significance before world war II. It became well
known because of its role during the war. It combined a useful port with ideal airbase conditions: a wide
coastal plain and no mountains nearby.
These same advantages now enable Biak to play an important role in the development of Netherlands
New Guinea. Biak is a port of call on the Amsterdam-Sydney run of KLM, Royal Dutch Air Lines. The
intercontinental air port, wich can receive very large planes, has also developed into an important
nerve-center for internal air traffic. The Naval Air Force also has its base at Biak. All these features
combine to give Biak its particular character. There is much activity but that is not the main thing.
There is a constant flow of travelers to and from the interior and to and from the Netherlands. Therefore
at Biak one does not feel isolated or out of touch with the rest of the world.
Biak is still in the process of rapid expansion and development. Much construction work is going on
and all sorts of installations are being built. Things are happening at Biak, it is a dynamic little place.
Biak
Biak Island
Pacific Wrecks
Biak - May 27, 1944
Music of Biak
Biak Language
Green Tree Python
Mokmer Airfield
Biak 1955
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Last updated October 28, 2003 |
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