New Britain

New Britain, island in the Bismarck Archipelago east of the island of New Guinea, and part of the nation of Papua New Guinea since 1975. It is approximately 300 mi (480 km) long and 50 mi (80 km) wide, with a center portion containing active volcanic mountains. Previously it was controlled by Germany (1884–1914), Australia (1914–42), and Japan (1942–45). William Dampier, an English navigator, was the first European to reach the island (1700). The people of New Britain, mostly Melanesians, farm and fish.