Papua is a province of Indonesia, located on the island of New Guinea, the west or west of New Guinea. Papua is also often referred to West Papua because it can refer to the whole of Papua New Guinea islands including the eastern parts of neighboring countries, east of New Guinea or Papua New Guinea. West Papua is the term preferred by nationalists who want independence from Indonesia and form their own country.
This province formerly known as West Irian calls from 1969 until 1973, its name later changed to Irian Jaya by former President Soeharto inaugurated at the Freeport copper and gold mine, a name still used officially until 2002. The name of this province was changed to 'Papua' in accordance with Law No. 21/2001 Papua Special Autonomy. During the Dutch colonial era, this area called Dutch New Guinea (Dutch New Guinea).
In 2004, accompanied by various protests, Papua was divided into two provinces by the government of Indonesia; the eastern part still uses the name 'Papua', while the portion west into West Irian Jaya.
