Sulawesi

Sulawesi: A Beautiful Island in Indonesia

Sulawesi is a big, beautiful island in Indonesia. It is the world’s 11th-biggest island. Sulawesi is east of Borneo, west of the Maluku Islands, and south of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. It has four parts that stick out, called peninsulas: the northern Minahasa Peninsula, the East Peninsula, the South Peninsula, and the Southeast Peninsula.

People have lived on Sulawesi for a very long time. Very old stone tools were found near a village called Ujung. These tools show that humans lived there over one million years ago! Amazing cave paintings were also found in Maros. Some of these paintings are about 40,000 years old and show hands and animals. Even older paintings were found in 2026, making them the oldest known rock art in the world.

Sulawesi is home to many special animals that live only there. There are two small buffalos called anoa, unusual pigs called babirusas, and several types of night-living primates called tarsiers. The island also has around 350 kinds of birds, like the maleo, which is only found on Sulawesi and nearby islands. Many types of reptiles, frogs, and fish also call Sulawesi home.

The island has many beautiful natural spaces, like national parks and marine protected areas. However, some of these places face challenges from logging, farming, and mining. People are working hard to protect Sulawesi’s wonderful nature and animals.