Bismarck Archipelago

The Bismarck Archipelago is a group of islands off the northeastern coast of New Guinea in what is now Papua New Guinea, lying in the Bismarck Sea. It comprises several large islands and many smaller ones, forming a significant island chain in the western Pacific.

The archipelago’s principal islands include New Britain and New Ireland, with numerous smaller clusters and volcanic islands clustered roughly between the Papua New Guinea mainland and the Solomon Islands. The islands vary in size from large, mountainous main islands to narrow volcanic islets and coral atolls.

European contact and colonial administration in the late 19th century led to the archipelago being named for Otto von Bismarck; it was incorporated into German colonial holdings in 1884 and later came under Australian administration after World War I. Many islands were the scenes of major military operations during World War II.

Geographically the islands lie northeast of mainland Papua New Guinea, scattered across the Bismarck Sea; the largest islands are several hundred kilometres from the PNG mainland and are separated by deep ocean channels.

• Name and colonial history: Named during the late 19th century after German chancellor Otto von Bismarck, the archipelago became part of German New Guinea in 1884 before later transfers of control.

What to See #

• Major islands: Includes the large islands of New Britain and New Ireland along with numerous smaller groups such as the Duke of York Islands and New Hanover.