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West Papua is the eastern-most region of Indonesia and the western half of the island of New Guinea. It shares a land border with Papua New Guinea and a sea border with Australia. While West Papua comprises 22 per cent of the total landmass of Indonesia, its people - totalling only 2.3 million - make up only one per cent of the national population.

The people of West Papua comprise indigenous Papuans and migrants from other parts of Indonesia. Today, it is estimated that just over one third of the population of West Papua is made up of migrants, and the remainder are indigenous Papuans. Indigenous Papuans are ethnically Melanesian, and comprise approximately 250 ethno-linguistic groups.

The immense cultural diversity of West Papua is rivalled only by the diversity of its environment. West Papua is mountainous and many parts are thickly forested. The lush tropical vegetation of the north contrasts with the arid landscape of temperate regions in the south.

West Papua has one of the highest degrees of biodiversity in the world and some of the largest reserves of precious metals, energy sources and other natural resources.

Yet, to date, the natural wealth of West Papua has brought about more suffering than prosperity for the people of West Papua. West Papua's resources are highly coveted and its natural wealth has been a decisive factor in West Papua's history.