Hollandia

Hollandia is the historical name of the city now known as Jayapura, the capital of Papua Province, Indonesia. It is situated on the northern coast of the island of New Guinea, facing Cenderawasih Bay, and serves as the region’s administrative and economic center.

Hollandia developed under Dutch colonial rule as the port and administrative seat of Netherlands New Guinea. The city grew as a key urban center in the territory during the 20th century and endured Japanese occupation during World War II. After the war, it remained an important administrative hub until the transfer of the territory to Indonesia in the early 1960s under the New York Agreement.

In 1963, following Indonesian governance, the city was renamed Jayapura, a name meaning “City of Victory” in Indonesian. Hollandia remains in historical references, appearing on older maps and archival documents, and is sometimes used to discuss the colonial period.

Today Jayapura is the capital of Papua Province and a major urban and transportation hub in northern Papua. It hosts government offices, commercial districts, and educational institutions, including Cenderawasih University in nearby Abepura. The port on Cenderawasih Bay and the nearby Sentani area remain important for access to inland highlands and regional commerce.