Bougainville

 BOUGAINVILLE

A. THE TERRITORY

Bougainville is the most northerly of the Solomon Islands but
arbitrarily linked to Papua New Guinea in colonial times.  Civil war
over opposition to incorporation in PNG resulted in a peace deal,
constitution and 2005 elections.  Effectively autonomous, a referendum
will be held post-2015 regarding complete independence.  Bougainville
survives largely through subsistence farming, and is highly dependent on
Australian aid and development.

B. THE PEOPLE

The population is ~230,000.  Thousands became refugees as a result of
the fightings in the 1990’s.  There are ~25 Melanesian and Polynesian
peoples.

C. RELIGION AND CHRISTIANITY

Most islanders claim Christianity, though many are nominally so.  There
are Roman Catholics 83%, United Church 8%, Adventists, Pentecostals and
indigenous marginal sects.

Donna Siemens

References:

Operation World, Jason Mandryk. Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing, 2010.