Australian New Guinea : a geographical survey
Abstract
Australian New Guinea forms part of the screen of
islands which are collectively known as Melanesia (from
the Greek term meaning "Black Isl ands·' ). Extending from
Fiji in the east to an uncertain boundary to the west of
New Guinea, the lielanesian islands represent a land area
of about 360,000 square miles. Their population of three
to four million persons, although derived from varied
racial stock, is fairly homogeneous and consists mostly
of a primitive, dark-skinned, fuzzy-haired folk with
negroid features, who can be ethnically distinguished
from their surrounding neighbours - Polynesians, Indonesians
and Australians. In addition to this positive, though
somewhat loose ethnic unity, the Melanesian islands derive
a negative unity from the fact that, as part of the hot,
wet tropics with a not too hospitable enVironment, as well
as by reason of historical aCCidents, they constituted
until a late date in history one of the largest areas
sealed off from the main currents of civilization, unpenetrated
by the outside world. In the 19th century,
however, Melanesia as an undeveloped area could hardly escape the European scramble f or colonies; and although
at times its rulers have changed, the whole re gion remains
under the colonial control of one or the othe r
powers to this day.