Research topic: Bismarck Archipelago

Bismarck Archipelago volcanic island group, 19,200 sq mi (49,730 sq km), SW Pacific, a part of Papua New Guinea. The group includes New Britain (the largest island), New Ireland , the Admiralty Islands , the Mussau Islands, New Hanover , the Vitu Islands , and the Duke of York Islands . The islands are generally mountainous and have several active volcanoes. The chief agricultural products are copra, cacao, coffee, tea, and rubber. Some copper and gold are mined. The inhabitants are mainly Melanesians. Discovered in 1616 by the Dutch explorer Willem Schouten , the group... Read more