Madang
Madang (German historical: Friedrich- Wilhelms- Port ) is the capital of the province of Madang on the north coast of Papua New Guinea. Through settlements on the periphery of the city, the population has to 27,420 inhabitants in 2005 increased ( counting 1980: 21 335 inhabitants). Madang is so behind Port Moresby, Lae, Arawa, Mount Hagen and Popondetta the sixth largest city of Papua New Guinea.
Geography
Madang is located in the center of the long northern coastline on the Astrolabe Bay. The nearby mountains separate the city from the country and make them especially during the rainy season when landslides make the pass roads impassable, difficult to reach.
Location
Madang is located at the northern end of the Astrolabe Bay. While in the east of the entrance to the sea is free, located in the north smaller coral islands and reefs. The land is flat in a westerly direction within a radius of six kilometers. The historical foundation took place only in the northeastern part of the natural harbor, as this neither of mangroves still marshy estuaries was impaired. As an important reason, however, coming from the sea to fresh air was called, had a special significance for the health of the colonists.
History
Friedrich- Wilhelms- port was discovered by Otto Finsch and Captain Eduard Dallmann. On behalf of New Guinea 's Company, an expedition examined in April 1886, landing point and told him not to be suitable to establish a plantation. Until 1888 was consistently spoken after re- assessment of good soil conditions that would make a coffee plantation possible.
In the summer of 1891, the station was built and was already from the September 17, 1892 the seat of the provincial administration with the Imperial Government Commissioner. The Government Building was on the northern Eickstedtinsel. The provincial administration had previously managed by the 23 km distant from the Stephansort possession. However, the Director-General of New Guinea 's Company remained in Stephansort. When laying the administrative seat Papuans accompanied the German administrative officials. These locals called Friedrich- Wilhelms- haven among themselves after their home island of Madang. This name was adopted as the official name of locality after the end of the German colonial rule. As of 1896, the economic importance of plantations by Friedrich- Wilhelms- port was severely restricted in favor of the more significant plantings of Stephansort for a few years.
Between 1893 and 1894 Friedrich- Wilhelms- port was extended. 1896 was the station of 13 houses for Europeans that had been built on two -meter-high piles. 10 more buildings for administration, used as residences for locals, as a warehouse, shed and as a sawmill. A factory for processing the leaves of the often used atap palm had already been abandoned at this point again. The only Europeans accessible hospital was first built in 1892 on the Beliao Island. In 1897 it was moved to the Schering- island. There, the free-standing since 1895, former home of the Provincial Governor George Schmiele was converted into a hospital with eight beds for Europeans and 160 natives. A private local hospital was also since 1892 on the cutter Island in the harbor. During the two kilometers to the north island Siar was one operated by the Rhenish Missionary Society mission station.
In the years 1895 and 1896 several German warships participated in surveys in protected areas. Here, amongst a number of diseased sailors especially, many surveyors - a total of 295 man. As places of origin of the disease, among others, Friedrich- Wilhelms- port and Stephansort could be identified which were now referred to as " pretty unhealthy places ." However, among the contemporary visitors from Stephansort was the impression of a relatively healthy climate.
From 1899 the settlement was with the previous reserve part of the German colonial possessions in the Bismarck Archipelago and thus lost its status as the capital of the New Guinea Company. For new capital Herbertshöhe was on the island of New Pomerania (now New Britain ).
Attractions
The modern city of Madang, its market and its supermarkets is the vibrant heart to the surrounding urtümlicheren Madang Province.
Although severely affected by recent changes, Madang is still considered one of the most beautiful cities in the South Pacific, and as probably the most beautiful of Papua New Guinea. Lots of greenery, beautiful parks, a wonderfully located golf course decorate the place, which extends on a peninsula in the blue and turquoise sea.
Tourism
Madang is today (2011) the landing point of cruise ships and the starting point for tourist flights in the highlands of New Guinea with target Goroka in Mount Hagen District.
Pictures
Lagoon to the German colonial period ( before 1910 )
Madanger airport
Coast Watcher Memorial, Kalibobo