biak

Biak refers to an island in Cenderawasih Bay, off the northern coast of Papua, Indonesia. It is part of Biak Numfor Regency in Papua Province, and the principal town on the island shares the same name, Biak. The Biak language, part of the Biak–Numfor subgroup of Western Oceanic languages, is spoken there alongside Indonesian.

Geography and administration: Biak Island is one of the Schouten Islands. It lies in the northern maritime area of Papua, with a tropical climate and a coastline dominated by reefs and mangroves. The island and nearby islets form Biak Numfor Regency, whose administrative center is the city of Biak. Frans Kaisiepo International Airport, located near Biak City, provides regional and international air service.

History: Biak was occupied by Japanese forces during World War II. In 1944, Allied forces conducted a campaign to capture the island, which played a staging role in connecting supplies to the rest of the campaign in the region. After the war, Biak remained part of Indonesia following its independence and subsequent integration of Western New Guinea.

People and culture: The Biak people have distinct customs, including traditional weaving, woodcarving, and music. The Biak language is used in daily life, with Indonesian widely spoken as the official language. The population is predominantly Christian, with a presence of Muslim communities and indigenous beliefs.

Economy and infrastructure: The economy centers on fisheries, agriculture, and small-scale trade. The island's transport links include Biak Numfor's port facilities and Frans Kaisiepo International Airport, which connect Biak with other Indonesian cities and, to some extent, international destinations. Tourism is modest but growing, centered on diving and cultural visits.