Admiralty Islands

Admiralty Islands or Admiralties, group of islands in the western Pacific Ocean, north of New Guinea, part of the nation of Papua New Guinea. The Admiralty Islands (area, 2,072 sq km/829 sq mi) are part of the Bismarck Archipelago and consist of about 18 islands. These islands and several other smaller islands form Manus Province (area, 2,100 sq km/840 sq mi). Manus Island (1,554 sq km/621 sq mi) and Rambutyo Island (about 207 sq km/83 sq mi) are the only large islands of the group. Coconut growing and pearl fishing are the leading industries. Lorengau, at the eastern extremity of Manus Island, is the chief town.

The Admiralty Islands were annexed by Germany in 1885. In 1920, following the defeat of Germany in World War I, the group was mandated by the League of Nations to Australia. Japan occupied the islands in 1942, during World War II. Early in 1944 the Allies invaded the islands. Japanese resistance on the islands ended on March 18, 1944. Administered by Australia after World War II ended in 1945 and later a United Nations Trust Territory, the islands became part of the newly independent nation of Papua New Guinea in 1975. Population of Manus Province (1990) 32,830.