East Sepik Province
East Sepik is the name of one of the 21 provinces of Papua New Guinea. It is approximately 42,800 km ² and has around 343,000 inhabitants. Capital is Wewak with 19,724 inhabitants in 2000. Borders the provinces of East Sepik Madang are in the East, Western Highlands to the south, and Sandaun in the West.
East Sepik, is named after the Sepik largest electricity in the country. The lower and middle reaches of the river is considered very attractive and is one of the most visited tourist parts of the country. Before the mouth of the Sepiks near the eastern coast of New Guinea is the small archipelago of Le Maire Islands.
East Sepik made up in 1968 with West Sepik province together. Then the boundaries between the two Sepik provinces have been changed several times. Today, East Sepik projects wedge-shaped in after West Sepik, so that the river basin runs as possible in a province. West Sepik say today Sandaun and, with its rugged coastline, as opposed to East Sepik from tourism almost untouched.
The coast of East Sepik is in the east of its course environmental changes occurring in alluvial deposits. Further to the west the coast is characterized by steeply rising mountains and no natural harbors. The few fertile land is intensively used for the cultivation of coffee.
The central importance in East Sepik has undoubtedly the river, which is the main trade route for many centuries. The tribes along the river have developed an artistic creativity, which is considered to be the only city in Melanesia. The German researcher Otto Finsch navigated in 1885 as the first European to Sepik and named it after the wife of the former German Emperor Wilhelm I. Empress Augusta River.
Population
Among the best known tribes of the province include the Arapesh and Mundugumor over which the anthropologist Margaret Mead, a comparative study on aggression published. Replace the Arapesh according to a fixed ritual with the neighboring Abelam who maintain a yam cult. The Yatmul are considered the great creative minds in the area. The small, peaceful Washkuk live in the hill country south of the river.
In the province of 90 local languages are spoken.
Economy
The East Sepik province is economically relatively underdeveloped. In addition to fishing, agriculture plays a role. Are cultivated sago, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa, coconut and betel nut. In addition, the Arts and Crafts is (wood carving, pottery, basket weaving ) is of importance, whose products are sold to tourists.
Districts and LLGs
The East Sepik Province is divided into six districts. Each district consists of one or more distinguish " areas at the local administrative level ," Local Level Government ( LLG ) areas which in Rural (rural ) or urban ( urban) LLGs.