# Bougainville Island > island in Papua New Guinea **Wikidata**: [Q201766](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q201766) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainville_Island) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bougainville-island ## Summary Bougainville Island is an island in Papua New Guinea, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, which gained autonomy from Papua New Guinea in 2004. The island is known for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional headdresses like the Upe, and its strategic importance in the geopolitics of the South Pacific. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Bougainville Island is part of Papua New Guinea, an independent country in Oceania established in 1975. - **Autonomous Region**: The Autonomous Region of Bougainville was created in 2004, granting the island a degree of self-governance. - **Population**: The island has a population of approximately 234,280 people. - **Coordinates**: The island is located at latitude -6.244444 and longitude 155.383889. - **Notable Features**: The island is home to the traditional Bougainvillean headdress, the Upe, and is named after French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville. - **Historical Context**: Bougainville Island was part of German New Guinea from 1884 to 1919 before becoming part of Papua New Guinea. - **Related Islands**: The island is part of the broader region that includes the Solomon Islands and other Pacific archipelagos. ## FAQs **What is the Autonomous Region of Bougainville?** The Autonomous Region of Bougainville is a self-governing region within Papua New Guinea, established in 2004. It grants Bougainville Island a degree of autonomy while remaining part of the larger country. **What is the significance of the Upe headdress?** The Upe is a traditional Bougainvillean headdress that holds cultural and ceremonial importance. It is a symbol of identity and heritage for the indigenous people of the island. **How did Bougainville Island get its name?** The island is named after French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, who circumnavigated the globe in the 18th century. His expeditions contributed to European knowledge of the Pacific region. **What was German New Guinea?** German New Guinea was a colonial protectorate of the German Empire from 1884 to 1919, encompassing the northeastern part of the island of New Guinea and nearby islands. It was later transferred to Australian administration after World War I. **What are the coordinates of Bougainville Island?** Bougainville Island is located at latitude -6.244444 and longitude 155.383889, placing it in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. ## Why It Matters Bougainville Island is significant as a cultural and historical hub in the South Pacific. Its autonomy within Papua New Guinea reflects the island’s unique identity and the ongoing political negotiations between the central government and the Bougainvillean people. The island’s rich cultural heritage, including the Upe headdress, provides insight into the traditions of its indigenous communities. Additionally, its historical ties to European exploration, such as those of Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, highlight the island’s role in shaping global knowledge of the Pacific region. The island’s strategic location also makes it a key player in regional geopolitics, with connections to neighboring islands like the Solomon Islands and broader Pacific archipelagos. ## Notable For - **Autonomous Status**: Bougainville Island is the only autonomous region within Papua New Guinea, granting it a degree of self-governance. - **Cultural Heritage**: The island is renowned for its traditional headdresses, such as the Upe, which are symbols of cultural identity. - **Historical Significance**: Named after French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, the island has ties to European exploration and colonial history. - **German Colonial History**: Bougainville Island was part of German New Guinea, a colonial protectorate from 1884 to 1919. - **Pacific Geopolitics**: The island’s location makes it a key player in the geopolitics of the South Pacific, with connections to neighboring islands and archipelagos. ## Body ### Geography and Administration Bougainville Island is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, part of Papua New Guinea. It has a population of approximately 234,280 people and is situated at coordinates latitude -6.244444 and longitude 155.383889. The island is administratively part of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, which was established in 2004 to grant the island a degree of self-governance. ### Cultural Heritage The island is known for its rich cultural heritage, including traditional headdresses like the Upe. These artifacts hold significant ceremonial and symbolic importance within Bougainvillean society. The Upe is a notable example of the island’s cultural identity and has been recognized in various knowledge bases. ### Historical Context Bougainville Island was part of German New Guinea, a colonial protectorate of the German Empire from 1884 to 1919. After World War I, the island came under Australian administration before becoming part of Papua New Guinea. This historical context reflects the island’s complex colonial past and its role in regional power dynamics. ### Exploration and Naming The island is named after French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, who circumnavigated the globe in the 18th century. His expeditions contributed to European knowledge of the Pacific region, including Bougainville Island. The island’s name honors his contributions to exploration and geography. ### Related Islands and Regions Bougainville Island is part of a broader region that includes the Solomon Islands and other Pacific archipelagos. Its strategic location makes it a key player in the geopolitics of the South Pacific, with connections to neighboring islands and international relations. ### Autonomous Region of Bougainville The Autonomous Region of Bougainville was established in 2004, granting the island a degree of self-governance within Papua New Guinea. This autonomy reflects the island’s unique identity and the ongoing political negotiations between the central government and the Bougainvillean people. ### Panguna Town Panguna is a town located on Bougainville Island, classified as a city and a large human settlement. It is situated at coordinates latitude -6.31639 and longitude 155.48483. The town is recognized in various knowledge bases, including Geonames and the GEOnet Names Server (GNS), highlighting its significance as a documented settlement. ### German New Guinea German New Guinea was a colonial protectorate of the German Empire from 1884 to 1919, encompassing the northeastern part of the island of New Guinea and nearby islands. It was later transferred to Australian administration after World War I, reflecting the island’s complex colonial history. ### Solomon Islands The Solomon Islands are an archipelago in the South Pacific, located near Bougainville Island. They share a historical and geographical connection with Bougainville, contributing to the broader regional dynamics of the Pacific. ## References 1. [Source](https://web.archive.org/save/https://peaceaccords.nd.edu/provision/decentralizationfederalism-bougainville-peace-agreement) 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. Integrated Authority File 4. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap) 5. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/australasia) 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. GeoNames 8. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File 9. KBpedia 10. [Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno](https://ipac.svkkl.cz/arl-kl/cs/detail-kl_us_auth-0331677-Bougainvill-salamounovy-ostrovy-ostrov)