Location
New Britain Island is located between New Guinea to the southwest and New Ireland to the northeast. Also known as simply New Britain. Borders the Solomon Sea to the south and Bougainville to the east. In 1722, the first European to see the island was Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen who spotted the island but incorrectly believed it was part of the mainland of New Guinea. On February 27, 1700 HMS Roebuck under the command of British explorer William Dampier realized it was an island and named it Nova Britannia, Latin for New Britain. Between 1884 until September 1914 known as Neupommern (New Pomerania) part of Deutsch Neu Guinea (German New Guinea). Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the New Britain District in the Territory of New Guinea. During the 1960s, East New Britain Province and West New Britain Province was created by the Australian Administration. Today located in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
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Last Updated
June 24, 2025
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