One of the easternmost cities in Indonesia, Merauke is located on the south coast, near the southernmost point of Irian Jaya, at the mouth of the Merauke River in Merauke Regency, Papua Province. Merauke was established in February 1902 as a military post by the Dutch. Today it has a population of around 49,000 and is the capital of Merauke Regency. All around Merauke there still exists large areas of unexplored forests, some of so dense they are almost impossible to penetrate. Southern Papua is home to two of Papua's most famous ethnic groups, the famous Asmat woodcarvers and the Korowai tree-house dwellers.
Wasur National Park, just 40 is minutes from the town of Merauke, is filled with an amazing variety of wildlife, including bluetongue skinks, crocodiles, kuskus, birds of paradise, cassowary, wild ducks, black cockatoos, white cockatoos and deer. Of the 390 bird species found in the area, 74 are found nowhere else in the world. There are also unique plants such as Papua orchids and tropical pitcher plants, as well as hot water springs. The National Park is also a good spot for fishing and swimming. Three traditional hunter-farmer communities live within Wasur National Park, the Marind, Mueori and Kanum, with more than 3,000 people in about 13 villages.
