East Sepik Province

Introducing East Sepik Province

East Sepik Province is much more developed than Sandaun Province and includes the most-visited and heavily populated sections of the Sepik, as well as several large tributaries. It was here, in 1945 that the Japanese finally surrendered to the allies and various vehicles of war can still be seen, rotting where they were left.

Vanilla, once a lucrative crop for Sepik villagers, has seen its price spiral downhill in the last few years. A scarcity of buyers and a glut on the international market have seen the 2003 record highs of US$450 per kilogram nose dive to mere US$26 per kilogram in 2007, and place additional hardships on impoverished communities. The provincial capital, Wewak, is linked by three roads to the Sepik River towns of Angoram, Timbunke, and Pagui.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009