BIAK ISLAND

also spelled Wiak Island, Indonesian Pulau Biak largest of the Schouten Islands (q.v.), off the northern coast of Irian Jaya (the Indonesian part of New Guinea) at the entrance to Cenderawasih (Geelvink) Bay. It is 45 miles (72 km) long and 23 miles (37 km) wide and has an area of 948 square miles (2,455 square km). Biak was seized by the Japanese in April 1942 during World War II; it was retaken May 27July 22, 1944, by Allied forces. Biak town, where the airport is located, is the chief urban centre. It is also the transportation centre for Irian Jaya, with flights to other towns in Irian Jaya, as well as to Surabaya and Ujung Pandang in Indonesia and to Hong Kong. It has now become an oil boomtown as well.