Indonesia's former President Suharto, the man who towered over Indonesian politics for 32 years, has been laid to rest.

There are currently no Pacific Viewpoints available.

Australia's new Foreign Minister Stephen Smith has started his term with visits to Asia and the United States.

A breakthrough at international talks on North Korea's weapons drive is seen as the first step to ending the country's nuclear ambitions, which stretch back to the 1950s.

Long thought to be restricted to birds and pigs, avian influenza, or bird flu, was first seen in humans in Hong Kong in 1997. Since the disease re-emerged in 2003, human cases have been reported in at least 10 nations, mostly in Asia, and more than 160 people have died. Most cases have been traced to contact with birds infected with a strain of avian influenza known as H5N1.

Four coups have been staged in Fiji since independence in 1970. All but one stem from tensions between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, descendants of labourers bought from India to work on plantations while the nation was under British rule.

The conflict between Sri Lanka's government and ethnic Tamil rebels has a chequered history spanning decades. Look at key dates in a dispute that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

A breakthrough at international talks on North Korea's weapons drive is seen as the first step to ending the country's nuclear ambitions, which stretch back to the 1950s.

Long thought to be restricted to birds and pigs, avian influenza, or bird flu, was first seen in humans in Hong Kong in 1997. Since the disease re-emerged in 2003, human cases have been reported in at least 10 nations, mostly in Asia, and more than 160 people have died. Most cases have been traced to contact with birds infected with a strain of avian influenza known as H5N1.

The conflict between Sri Lanka's government and ethnic Tamil rebels has a chequered history spanning decades. Look at key dates in a dispute that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Four coups have been staged in Fiji since independence in 1970. All but one stem from tensions between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, descendants of labourers bought from India to work on plantations while the nation was under British rule.

There are currently no Australia Timelines available.

The Australian parliament's apology to indigenous peoples prompted reflection, tears and celebrations.

There are currently no Asia Galleries available.

The Australian parliament's apology to indigenous peoples prompted reflection, tears and celebrations.

There are currently no Australia Galleries available.

Australia's prime minister, Kevin Rudd, has said sorry to the Stolen Generations of Aborigines for the suffering caused by the removal of indigenous children from their families.

There are currently no Asia Watch and Listen Items available.

There are currently no Pacific Watch and Listen Items available.

Australia's prime minister, Kevin Rudd, has said sorry to the Stolen Generations of Aborigines for the suffering caused by the removal of indigenous children from their families.

China's economic progress in recent years has come with a steady expansion in its cultural and diplomatic influence globally, especially in the developing world.

Following his election victory on November 24, Kevin Rudd became Australia's 26th prime minister.

The Indonesian island of Bali and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change hosted the largest gathering of climate experts and countries in a decade December 3-14, 2007.

The presidential election went to a second round on May 9, pitting Fretilin's Francisco "Lu Olo" Guterres against PM Jose Ramos-Horta after none of the candidates in April 9's poll won the necessary 50 per cent of votes.

Papua New Guinea has had six leaders in the three decades since gaining independence in 1975.

Pakistan is facing the worst natural disaster in its history after the largest earthquake in a century hit on the morning of Saturday October 8, 2005.

Indonesia's holiday island of Bali was the target of a second terrorist attack in three years on October 1, 2005.

World oil prices have more than doubled since the beginning of 2004 and the consequences are being felt around the world.

For some it was a defining moment, for others it was a day off school and for most, Independence Day was a mixture of confusion and celebration.

China has had four generations of communist leaders since Mao Zedong first proclaimed the creation of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

The presidential election went to a second round on May 9, pitting Fretilin's Francisco "Lu Olo" Guterres against PM Jose Ramos-Horta after none of the candidates in April 9's poll won the necessary 50 per cent of votes.

Pakistan is facing the worst natural disaster in its history after the largest earthquake in a century hit on the morning of Saturday October 8, 2005.

Indonesia's holiday island of Bali was the target of a second terrorist attack in three years on October 1, 2005.

World oil prices have more than doubled since the beginning of 2004 and the consequences are being felt around the world.

China has had four generations of communist leaders since Mao Zedong first proclaimed the creation of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Papua New Guinea has had six leaders in the three decades since gaining independence in 1975.

For some it was a defining moment, for others it was a day off school and for most, Independence Day was a mixture of confusion and celebration.

Following his election victory on November 24, Kevin Rudd became Australia's 26th prime minister.

After decades of civil war, Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries and relies heavily on foreign aid.

Polynesians settled American Samoa in about 800 BC.

Australia is the sixth largest country on earth, and the only country to govern an entire continent.

Bangladesh is one of the most heavily populated countries in the world.

After centuries of isolation the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan slowing began opening up to the rest of the world in 1974.

Brunei is a tiny sultanate tucked into the north-west coast of Borneo island.

Burma (also known as Myanmar) is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Decades of war and unrest have destroyed much of Cambodia's infrastructure, caused the displacement of millions of people and left a legacy of millions of landmines scattered throughout the country.

The People's Republic of China is the world's most populous nation - more than 1.3 billion people call the Asian country home.

The Cook Islands group is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the South Pacific.

After a long and arduous struggle against occupying forces, East Timor finally realised its dream of independence in May 2002.

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has been a self-governing territory in free association with the United States of America since 1979.

Fiji is one of the most developed of the independent countries of the Pacific.

French Polynesia is a popular tourist destination and Tahiti is its most famous island.

Guam is one of the most prosperous countries in the Pacific.

Hawaii is a state of the United States of America, and one of the main tourist destinations in the world.

India is the world's second most populous nation with an ever growing middle class.

Indonesia is a vast, resource-rich archipelago of thousands of islands.

Japan is the world's second largest economy.

Kiribati, pronounced 'Kiribas', is one of the poorest countries in the Pacific.

Laos is one of the last remaining official communist states in the world.

Malaysia is one of South East Asia's major tourist destinations and is the world's biggest exporter of palm oil.

The Maldive archipelago was ruled as a Muslim sultanate for centuries, before becoming a republic in 1968.

Between 1946 and 1962, Marshall Islands was used by the United States as a nuclear testing ground.

The Mongols have a long and rich history, and were once in control of the largest empire the world has ever known.

Nauru is the world's smallest republic.

Nepal is a landlocked country and is home to the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest - a popular tourist destination.

New Caledonia has one of the highest standards of living in the Pacific.

New Zealand is one of the most developed countries in the Pacific, with one of the highest GDP per capita in the region.

Niue is the world's largest raised coral island.

Norfolk Island is a territory of Australia.

For decades North Korea has been one of the most secretive, heavily militarised and poverty-stricken states in the world.

The Northern Marianas group has been colonised by four successive powers.

Pakistan was created in 1947 after the Indian subcontinent gained independence from Britain.

Palau is made up of more than 200 volcanic and coral reefs.

Papua New Guinea is by far the largest and the most populated country in the Pacific.

The Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 islands and has more than 85 local languages and dialects.

The island of Pitcairn is the last colonial outpost of Britain in the Pacific.

Samoa was the first Pacific nation to gain independence.

Singapore was once home to pirates and fishermen and today Singaporeans enjoy one of the world's highest standards of living.

The Solomon Islands, one of the four Melanesian independent states of the Pacific, is a country where tradition and custom still play an important role.

South Korea has emerged from poverty to become a north Asian economic powerhouse.

Lying south-east of the Indian subcontinent, the island of Sri Lanka is rich in natural resources and beauty.

Taiwan's status as an independent country is disputed by China, which regards it as a rebel province waiting to be reunified.

Thailand is the only South East Asian country not to have been colonised by a foreign power.

Tokelau is a largely self-governing territory under the administration of New Zealand.

Tonga is the only nation in the Pacific not to have been colonised by a Western power.

Tuvalu (formally known as Ellice Islands) is an independent state.

Vanuatu is one of four independent Melanesian states in the Pacific. More than 100 languages are spoken on the islands.

Vietnam has been one of the most fought-over nations in modern history, however the country has enjoyed relative peace in the past two decades.

Wallis and Futuna is an overseas territory of France made up of three islands in the south western Pacific Ocean.

After decades of civil war, Afghanistan is one of the world's poorest countries and relies heavily on foreign aid.

Bangladesh is one of the most heavily populated countries in the world.

After centuries of isolation the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan slowing began opening up to the rest of the world in 1974.

Brunei is a tiny sultanate tucked into the north-west coast of Borneo island.

Burma (also known as Myanmar) is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Decades of war and unrest have destroyed much of Cambodia's infrastructure, caused the displacement of millions of people and left a legacy of millions of landmines scattered throughout the country.

The People's Republic of China is the world's most populous nation - more than 1.3 billion people call the Asian country home.

After a long and arduous struggle against occupying forces, East Timor finally realised its dream of independence in May 2002.

India is the world's second most populous nation with an ever growing middle class.

Indonesia is a vast, resource-rich archipelago of thousands of islands.

Japan is the world's second largest economy.

Laos is one of the last remaining official communist states in the world.

Malaysia is one of South East Asia's major tourist destinations and is the world's biggest exporter of palm oil.

The Maldive archipelago was ruled as a Muslim sultanate for centuries, before becoming a republic in 1968.

The Mongols have a long and rich history, and were once in control of the largest empire the world has ever known.

Nepal is a landlocked country and is home to the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest - a popular tourist destination.

For decades North Korea has been one of the most secretive, heavily militarised and poverty-stricken states in the world.

Pakistan was created in 1947 after the Indian subcontinent gained independence from Britain.

The Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 islands and has more than 85 local languages and dialects.

Singapore was once home to pirates and fishermen and today Singaporeans enjoy one of the world's highest standards of living.

South Korea has emerged from poverty to become a north Asian economic powerhouse.

Lying south-east of the Indian subcontinent, the island of Sri Lanka is rich in natural resources and beauty.

Taiwan's status as an independent country is disputed by China, which regards it as a rebel province waiting to be reunified.

Thailand is the only South East Asian country not to have been colonised by a foreign power.

Vietnam has been one of the most fought-over nations in modern history, however the country has enjoyed relative peace in the past two decades.

Polynesians settled American Samoa in about 800 BC.

The Cook Islands group is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the South Pacific.

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has been a self-governing territory in free association with the United States of America since 1979.