Schouten Islands

Archipelago, across the entrance to Cenderawasih Bay of the Pacific Ocean, off the northern coast of Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia.

The islands cover an area of 1,231 sq mi (3,188 sq km). The chief islands, Biak, Supiori, and Numfoor, are among the most densely populated areas of Papua. Another island group of the same name is located off the northeastern coast of New Guinea island; it is part of Papua New Guinea.

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▪ islands, Indonesia

Indonesian  Kepulauan Schouten , formerly  Misore Islands 

      archipelago in the Pacific Ocean across the entrance to Cenderawasih Bay, off the northern coast of Irian Jaya provinsi (“province”), Indonesia. The first European sighting of the group was by the Dutch navigator Willem Corneliszoon Schouten (Schouten, Willem). The chief islands are Biak (Biak Island), Supiori, and Numfoor. The town of Biak, on the southern coast of Biak, is the main settlement and administrative centre. The islands, particularly Numfoor and Biak, are among the most densely populated areas of Irian Jaya.

      This group should not be confused with another island group of the same name, also off the northern coast of New Guinea but belonging to Papua New Guinea.

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