Sulawesi

Sulawesi, also known as Celebes, is a large island in Indonesia. It is one of the four Greater Sunda Islands and the world's 11th-largest island. Sulawesi sits east of Borneo, west of the Maluku Islands, and south of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.

The island of Sulawesi has four main peninsulas: the northern Minahasa Peninsula, the East Peninsula, the South Peninsula, and the Southeast Peninsula. These peninsulas are separated by three gulfs: the Gulf of Tomini, the Tolo Gulf, and the Gulf of Boni.

Only three islands in Indonesia are larger than Sulawesi: Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua. However, only Java and Sumatra have more people living on them than Sulawesi. The Strait of Makassar runs along the western side of Sulawesi, separating it from Borneo.

Etymology

The name Sulawesi may come from two words: sula, meaning "island," and besi, meaning "iron." This name could refer to the iron that was once taken from Lake Matano and nearby iron deposits. People started using the name Sulawesi more often after Indonesia became independent.

Long ago, Portuguese explorers called the island Celebes. We are not sure exactly what this name means, but it might be how the Portuguese heard the local name "Sulawesi."

Geography

Sulawesi is a large island in Indonesia and is the world's eleventh-largest island. It covers an area of 186,216.16 km² and has rugged mountains in the center, making some parts feel far apart. The island has four main peninsulas separated by three bays: the Tomini, the Tolo, and the Boni.

The island is surrounded by other lands and seas. To the west is Borneo, to the north are the Philippines, to the east is Maluku, and to the south are Flores and Timor. Several smaller islands, such as the Selayar Islands, Sangihe Islands, Talaud Islands, Buton, Muna Islands, Togian Islands, Peleng Island, and Banggai Islands, are also part of Sulawesi.

Geology

The island of Sulawesi rises from the deep seas around it to a high, mostly non-volcanic, mountainous interior. In the northern Minahasa Peninsula, there are active volcanoes such as Mount Lokon, Mount Awu, Soputan, and Karangetang. The island was formed by the collision of pieces from the Asian Plate and the Australian Plate, which created faults and makes the island prone to earthquakes.

The Bone Basin lies between the southeastern and southern arms of Sulawesi. It was formed by stretching forces and contains layers of carbonate rocks that might hold oil and gas, though the faults make the area complex.

Prehistory

See also: Prehistoric Indonesia

The oldest signs of people on Sulawesi are stone tools made by early humans over one million years ago, found near the village of Ujung. These tools show that humans lived on the island long ago. Other tools from around 200,000 to 100,000 years ago have also been found.

In October 2014, amazing cave paintings in Maros were found to be about 40,000 years old, making them some of the oldest known paintings in the world. These paintings include images of hands and animals, showing that early people expressed themselves through art. Later discoveries in 2019 and 2021 found even older paintings, including scenes of hunting and animals, showing how people lived and told stories thousands of years ago. In 2026, new paintings of hands and people were found to be over 67,000 years old, making them the oldest known rock art in the world.

History

Sulawesi has a rich history that dates back many centuries. In ancient times, the island was influenced by Hindu and Buddhist cultures. Important artifacts, like statues, have been found showing this influence. By the 14th century, several small kingdoms began to form and connect through trade.

Later, European explorers arrived, with the first being Portuguese sailors in the 1500s. The Dutch followed and set up trading posts. Over time, the Dutch took control of the island and it became part of their colony. After World War II, Sulawesi joined the new nation of Indonesia in 1949. The island has many cultural traditions, including dances like the Tandako and Padjogé, which are still performed today.

Population

In Indonesia, the island of Sulawesi had a population of about 14.9 million in the year 2000. By 2020, this number had grown to nearly 20 million. The biggest city on Sulawesi is Makassar.

The most common belief on Sulawesi is Islam. People in the southern part of the island began following Islam in the early 1600s. Today, most Muslims on the island are Sunnis.

Christians make up a smaller group, especially in areas like around Manado and Tana Toraja. There are also smaller groups of Buddhists and Hindus, often found among Chinese, Balinese, and Indian communities. Many people also hold onto older local traditions and beliefs alongside their main beliefs.

Main article: Languages of Sulawesi

Economy

Main article: Economy of Sulawesi

The economy of Sulawesi mainly relies on farming, fishing, mining, and taking care of forests. These activities help provide food and resources for many people living on the island.

Administration

Sulawesi was once one province, but it has been divided into smaller parts over time. Today, it has six provinces: Gorontalo, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi. Some of these provinces were created recently, like Gorontalo in 2000 and West Sulawesi in 2004.

The biggest cities on Sulawesi include Makassar, Manado, Palu, Kendari, and Gorontalo. There are also several other smaller cities on the island.

Flora and fauna

See also: Sulawesi lowland rain forests and Sulawesi montane rain forests

Sulawesi is part of Wallacea, which means it has a mix of plants and animals from both Indomalayan and Australasian regions. The island includes one native type of eucalyptus tree, called E. deglupta. There are 8 national parks on Sulawesi, 4 of which are mainly underwater. The largest land parks are Bogani Nani Wartabone and Lore Lindu National Park. Bunaken National Park protects colorful coral reefs and has been suggested as a place of great importance for the World Heritage Site. The northern coast of Sulawesi is very important for sea life, especially in the Coral Triangle.

Sulawesi has many special animals that live only there. There are 127 types of mammals, and 79 of these are found nowhere else. Two types of small buffalo called anoa are the largest mammals. Other animals include unusual pigs called babirusas, and several types of night-living primates called tarsiers. There are also many types of rodents and bats that are unique to the island.

There are around 350 kinds of birds on Sulawesi. Some of these birds, like the maleo, are only found on Sulawesi and nearby islands. Other special birds include the snoring rail, the fiery-browed starling, and the Sulawesi masked owl.

Sulawesi has many types of reptiles, both large and small. Some of these include pythons, cobras, and monitor lizards. There are also many kinds of snakes and lizards, some of which are only found on the island.

The island has many kinds of frogs and other amphibians, several of which live only in Sulawesi. There are also more than 70 types of freshwater fish, with many of these found nowhere else in the world.

Sulawesi is also home to many special kinds of freshwater shrimp, crabs, and snails, some of which are only found in certain lakes or caves on the island. The waters around Sulawesi include special animals like the Indonesian coelacanth and the mimic octopus.

Environment

Sulawesi faces big challenges for its natural spaces. Much of the island's forests have been cut down for logging, big farms, and mining, putting many special animals in danger. Almost all of the wetlands have also been lost or hurt.

The island has six national parks, nineteen nature reserves, and three marine protected areas. However, these important places are also at risk from logging, mining, and farming.