New Britain is the largest of the more than 200 islands in the Bismarck Archipelago, which forms part of the nation of Papua New Guinea. New Britain lies off the northeast coast of New Guinea. It covers 14,093 square miles (36,500 kilometers). Mountain ranges run the length of the island.
About 810,000 people live on New Britain. Almost all are Melanesians. The people fish and farm for a living. Most of the farming is done along the coasts. The island’s north end is the most fertile area in Papua New Guinea. Rabaul is the island’s largest urban community and port. It lies along the coast and has several active volcanoes around it. Rabaul suffered much damage in 1937 and 1994 when volcanoes erupted.
In 1700, the English navigator William Dampier reached New Britain. In 1884, it became a part of a German empire. Australian forces took the island from Germany in 1914 during World War I (1914-1918). It was given to Australia as a mandate of the League of Nations in 1920. Japan captured Rabaul in 1942, during World War II (1939-1942), and held the area until 1945. During the war, bombing raids destroyed most of Rabaul, but the city was rebuilt. Australia regained control of the area after the war. In 1975, New Britain became part of the newly independent nation of Papua New Guinea.
