Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/New Ireland

NEW IRELAND, now New Mecklenburg, a long narrow island, belonging to the Bismarck (New Britain) Archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, N. E. of New Guinea; area, about 4,900 square miles; length 800 miles; width, 15 miles. The hills rise to 6,500 feet, and they and the whole of the interior are richly wooded. In 1884 a German protectorate was declared over the archipelago. An Australian force occupied the island in 1914 and the mandate over it was awarded by the Peace Conference to Australia in May, 1919. Chief town, Kalwieng. Pop. (native) about 28,000.