Papuan Territory (1883-1975)
The Territory of Papua was a British territory in the southeastern part of the island of New Guinea between 1883 and 1975. In 1883, the Queensland colonial government annexed the territory for the British Empire, which refused to ratify the annexation, but in 1884 declared a protectorate on the territory, called "British New Guinea". The exact date of the British annexation of the entire territory is unknown, and the Papua Act of 1905 states that it happened around September 4, 1888. On 18 March 1902, the Territory was placed under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia[3] and the Acceptance Resolution was passed by the Federal Parliament, which accepted the Territory under the name of Papua.
German New Guinea (1884-1919)
German New Guinea (German: Deutsch-Neuguinea) was a colony of the German Empire in Oceania, which included the northern half of New Guinea and a number of nearby islands, purchased from Spain. The area was divided and occupied by Germany after its defeat in World War I. It now belongs mainly to Papua New Guinea.
New Guinea Territory (1919-1975)
The Territory of New Guinea is the territory of the island of New Guinea administered by Australia from 1919 to 1975. The territory of New Guinea was originally German New Guinea, which was occupied by Australian forces during World War I. During World War II from 1942 to 1945, the territory of New Guinea was occupied by Japan. During this period, Rabaul on the island of New Britain became a major base for Japan. After World War II, the Australian Territory of Papua and the Territory of New Guinea merged in 1949 into one administrative region: the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. It was renamed Papua New Guinea in 1971.
Independent State of Papua New Guinea (1975-present)
The coat of arms of Papua New Guinea depicts a bird of paradise resting on two leather drums and a spear. The bird of paradise is the national bird, meaning the same national flag; Leather drums and spears symbolize the country's traditional culture. The text below reads "Papua New Guinea".