Sulawesi - Reference Center

Columbia Encyclopedia entry: Sulawesi

Sulawesisoo′läwā'sē, formerly Celebessĕl'əbēz, island (1990 pop. 12,511,163), c.73,000 sq mi (189,070 sq km), largest island in E Indonesia, E of Borneo, from which it is separated by the Makasar Strait. Ujung Pandang (Makasar) is its chief city and port; other important towns are Manado, Gorontalo, and Palopo. Extremely irregular in shape, it comprises four large peninsulas separated by three gulfs—Tomini on the northeast, Tolo on the southeast, and Bone on the south. The terrain is almost wholly mountainous, with many active volcanoes. Mt. Rantemario (11,286 ft/3,440 m) and Mt. Rantekombola (11,335 ft/3,455 m) are the highest peaks. There are numerous lakes; Towuti is the largest and Tondano, with its waterfall, the most beautiful. Asian and Australian elements are comingled in the fauna, which includes the babirusa (resembling swine), the anoa, a small wild ox found only in Sulawesi, the baboon, some rare species of parrot, and many crocodiles. Valuable stands of timber cover much of the island; many forest products are exported. Mineral resources include nickel, gold, diamonds, sulfur, and low-grade iron ore. The mountainous terrain, with only a few narrow coastal plains, limits agriculture; many inhabitants seek their livelihood from the sea, and there are trepang (sea cucumber) and mother-of-pearl industries. Sulawesi is, however, a major source of copra, and corn, rice, cassava, yams, tobacco, and spices are grown. Tourism was developed in the 1990s, and Sulawesi has become especially attractive to divers. The inhabitants are Malayan, except for some indigenous ethnic groups in the interior. The largest ethnic group is the Makasarese-Bugis, who are renowned as seafaring traders; they are Muslim. In the north are the Minahassa, who are Christian. The Portuguese first visited the island in 1512. The Dutch expelled the Portuguese in the 1600s and conquered the natives in the Makasar War (1666–69). In 1950, it became one of 10 provinces of newly created Indonesia; it has since been divided into 4 provinces. Since 1998 the island has been the site of violence between Muslims and Christians. The Univ. of North and Central Sulawesi is in Manado, and private universities are in Manado, Gorontalo, and Ujung Pandang. The Sulawesi Sea or Celebes Sea is north of the island, between it and the Philippines.

Wikipedia search results for: Sulawesi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sulawesi is one of the four larger Sunda Islands of Indonesia and is situated between Borneo and the Maluku Islands. The Portuguese were the first to refer to Sulawesi as 'Celebes'. The meaning of this name is unclear. One theory claims it means "hard to reach" due to rough waters full of currents and streams surrounding the island. Originally it did not refer to the entire island as the Portuguese thought Sulawesi was an archipelago. The modern name 'Sulawesi' possibly comes from the words sula and besi and may refer to the historical export of iron from the rich Lake Matano iron deposits. According to reconstruction of plate...more »

Columbia Encyclopedia search results: Sulawesi

Results 1 - 10 of 16

Ujung Pandang
Ujung Pandang, formerly Makasar, city (1990 pop. 944,685), SW Sulawesi, capital of Sulawesi Selatan prov., Indonesia. The largest city in Sulawesi, it is one of Indonesia's important seaports,...
Manado
Manado or Menado, town (1990 pop. 318,406), capital of Sulawesi Utara prov., on the northeast coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is a trade center and seaport on an inlet of the Celebes Sea; exp...
Rantekombola
Rantekombola, mountain, 11,335 ft (3,455 m) high, on the southwest peninsula of Sulawesi island, Indonesia. It is the island's highest point.
Wallace's line
Wallace's line, imaginary line postulated by A. R. Wallace as the dividing line between Asian and Australian fauna in the Malay Archipelago. It passes between Bali and Lombok islands and betwe...
Sangihe Islands
Sangihe Islands or Sangi Islands, volcanic group (314 sq mi/813 sq km), Indonesia, NE of Sulawesi. Tahuna is the chief town and port. The islands are mountainous, forested, and fertile; tropic...
tarsier
Tarsier, small, nocturnal, forest-dwelling prosimian primate, genus Tarsius. There are at least three species found in the Philippines, in Sumatra and Borneo, and in Sulawesi. Tarsiers are abo...
Halmahera
Halmahera or Jailolo, island (1990 pop. 138,000), c.7,000 sq mi (18,100 sq km), E Indonesia, between New Guinea and Sulawesi, on the equator. The largest of the Moluccas and irregular in shape...
Moluccas
Moluccas or Spice Islands, Bahasa Indonesia Maluku, Du. Molukken, island group and prov. (1990 pop. 1,856,075), c.32,300 sq mi (83,660 sq km), E Indonesia, between Sulawesi and New Guinea. The...
Flores, island, Indonesia
Flores, island, 6,627 sq mi (17,164 sq km), E Indonesia, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Flores is heavily wooded, rugged, and mountainous, rising to 7,872 ft (2,399 m); there are active volc...
Sunda Islands
Sunda Islands, mainly in Indonesia, between the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, comprising the western part of the Malay Archipelago. It includes two main groups: the Greater Sunda Islan...

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