Irian Jaya

I·ri·an Ja·ya  (îr-än jäy, j)

A regional and former province of Indonesia occupying the western half of New Guinea and about 12 offshore islands. Before it was ceded to Indonesia by the Netherlands in 1963, it was known as Dutch New Guinea. It was renamed Irian Jaya in 1973 and split into smaller provinces in the early 21st century.

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Irian Jaya

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(Placename) the W part of the island of New Guinea: formerly under Dutch rule, becoming a province of Indonesia in 1963. Capital: Jayapura. Pop.: 2 165 300 (1999 est.). Area: 416 990 sq. km (161 000 sq. miles) Former names (until 1963) Dutch New Guinea Netherlands New Guinea English name West Irian