New Britain

New Britain, city, United States

New Britain, industrial city (1990 pop. 75,491), Hartford co., central Conn.; settled c.1686, inc. 1871. The tin shops and brassworks in the city were established in the 18th cent. New Britain became famous as the "Hardware City" because of its tool and household-hardware industry, which remains economically important. Central Connecticut State Univ. is there. Of interest are the city hall (1884), a park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in the center of the city, and a museum of American art. Elihu Burritt was born in New Britain.

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New Britain, island, Papua New Guinea

New Britain, volcanic island (1990 pop. 315,649), c.14,600 sq mi (37,810 sq km), SW Pacific, largest island of the Bismarck Archipelago and part of Papua New Guinea, in which it forms two provinces (East and West New Britain). Rabaul is the chief town and port. The island is mountainous, with active volcanoes, hot springs, and peaks over 7,000 ft (2,130 m) high. The major export is copra, and some copper, gold, iron, and coal are mined.

Visited and named by the English explorer William Dampier in 1700, New Britain became part of German New Guinea in 1884. Germany called it Neu Pommern (New Pomerania). In 1920 it was mandated to Australia by the League of Nations and in 1947 was made a UN trust territory under Australian control. In 1937 and again in 1994 the city of Rabaul was severely damaged by volcanic activity.

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New Britain

 formerly Neu-Pommern

Largest island (pop., 2000: 404,641) in the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. It was visited and named by English explorer William Dampier in 1700. After periods under German, Australian, and Japanese rule, it became part of Papua New Guinea in 1975 when that country attained independence. It is crescent-shaped and heavily forested, and it has several volcanoes. Its highest peak, Mount Sinewit, at 7,999 ft (2,438 m), erupted violently in 1937. Commercial products include coconuts, cocoa, and palm oil. Its harbours include Blanche Bay, Talasea, and Jacquinot Bay.

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New Britain

an island in the S Pacific, northeast of New Guinea: the largest island of the Bismarck Archipelago; part of Papua New Guinea; mountainous, with several active volcanoes. Capital: Rabaul. Pop.: 435 307 (1999 est.). Area: 36 519 sq. km (14 100 sq. miles)

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New Britain 

a city in the northeastern USA, in the state of Connecticut. Population, 83,000 (including the metropolitan area, 145,000; 1970). Industry employs 25,000 people. Bearings, machine tools, instruments, and nonferrous metal items are produced in the city.

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New Britain 

a volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean, the largest in the Bismarck Archipelago. Named in 1700 by the English explorer William Dampier; known as New Pomerania from 1884 through 1920. Part of Papua New Guinea. Area, 36,600 sq km; population, approximately 160,000 (1970; including nearby islands). The relief is mountainous, with elevations of up to 2,300 m (The Father, an active volcano). The climate is equatorial, and there are equatorial rain forests. Coconuts, cacao, and coffee are grown on plantations. The chief city and port is Rabaul.