Maluku

Maluku

The Capital City of Maluku Province is “Ambon”

Maluku (Moluccas), a region of Indonesia formerly known as the Spice Islands, was once the source of cloves and nutmeg, spices highly valued for their aroma, preservative ability, and use in medicine before people learned how to cultivate the plants in other parts of the world. Maluku is a cluster of about one thousand islands totaling 74,504 square kilometers, forming part of the Malay Archipelago in eastern Indonesia near New Guinea. The region is divided into two provinces, Maluku with its capital in Ambon, and North Maluku (2002 estimated population 913,000), with its capital in Ternate; other important islands in the group include Halmahera, Seram, and Buru.

Maluku is an archipilago of thousand large and small islands, surrounded by the tranquil deep blue oceans. Formerly Maluku was part of the legendary spice islands and it’s Banda Island which surrendered to Dutch East Indies Companies instead of Manhattan Island-USA to Portuguese in the 17^th century.The rest is sea, in any places thousands of meters deep. Maluku is transition zone between the Asian and Australian fauna and flora, and also between the Malay, based cultures of western Indonesia and those of Melanesia.It is 999 islands support a population of less than 2 million people. The average population density figure is 20 people per square kilometer, but the distribution is uneven. Air and sea transportation are the main means which link the islands together. The province has has 32 sea ports and  20 Airports, and only about 1,60 kilometers of land roads. Good roads on many of the islands provide easy access to the often remote places of tourist interest.

A great variety of endemic plant and animal species are found the rugged forest covered and mountainous hinterland of most of the islands. A few of the best known are the Racker Tailed King Fisher, the red crested Moluccan Cockatoo, and various brilliantly colored lorikeets and parrots.Most of Maluku sits astride one of the world’s most volatile volcanic belts. The region has known more than 70 eruptions in the last 400 years. tremors and volcanic eruptions are by no means rare even at present. Many islands, in fact, look from a distance like volcanic cones rising right out of the sea.

Formerly known as the Moluccas, these islands are the original Spice Islands which in the 16^th and 17^th centuries lured the major seafaring nations of Europe to come to trade and to establish their power and influence in this part of the East.It was Nicoli de Conti, who in 1440 revealed the existence of the Spice Islands to the Europeans. Using his information, Fra Maura drew his world map, and soon the race to the East began. In 1511, following the Portuguese built their first fort in the area on the island of Ternate and established their monopoly of the clove trade.

The Spanish also came, but posed little trouble to the Portuguese. The Dutch, who arrived in 1599, on the other hand proved to be their toughest contestants in the quest for Maluku’s treasures. Armed conflicts broke out, taking a tall not only among the two rival European powers, but also among the local populations of the islands. To make it short, the Dutch finally emerged winners and established their trade monopoly with iron hand. Whole villages were razed to the ground and thousands of islanders died in the so called Hongi expeditions lunched by the Dutch to maintain their trade monopoly, especially on the island of Banda.

The British occupied Maluku for a brief period during the Napoleonic war between England and France. Dutch rule was restored in 1814, leading to a new rebellion under Matulassi which the Dutch suppressed with difficulty. The compulsory cultivation of spieces was abolished in Maluku only in 1863.Traces of that turbulent period in Maluku’s history could still be found on a number of islands. Maluku’s great attraction for present day visitors is it’s sea gardens, and beaches and the beauty of the land. Maluku’s music dances and hybrid culture in general, too, are among the provinces strong touristic drawing cards.

Fish and other sea products are nowadays Maluku’s major sources of revenue, but nickel, oil, manganese and various timber varieties also contribute to the provinces’s wealth.And Memorials of Patimura and Martha Christina Tiahahu in Ambon. The Siwalima Museum at Taman Makmur. The clove factory at Waemahu we could make  photo, than to Namalatu Beach. See the sacred eels and arrive Hunimua white sandy beach for a swim. And visit to the northern peninsula of Ambon to see Hitu, a historical site, and Hila, Kaitetu for it’s fort Amsterdam. Old Dutch Church and the oldest mosque of the Moluccas. Manuala Beach Resort for a refresing swim. In Tantui has Second Worl War Cemetery. Lonthoir on a leisure to see famous nutmeg plantation of Banda Besar. In Lonthoir we could see Fort Holandia, Perkhouse and the nutmeg factory. Swim also at the crystal clear water. 

Ambon Maluku

Ambon

The name of the island Ambon is believed to come from the word apon, meaning "plantation'. Indeed, Ambon was one of the firsts Moluccan islands to be occupied by the Portuguese and used as a plantation. Ambon City is the Main City and seaport of Ambon Island, and is the capital of Maluku Province. It is one of the largest cities in eastern Indonesia. Ambon, the provincial capital of Maluku, which is built on a hillside overlooking the bay, has a number of interesting sites of historical and cultural interests. Among them are the remnants of some old forts built by the Dutch East Indies Company during the heydays of the spice trade and the Siwa Lima Museum with its local arts and crafts collection. More ruins of forts are found such as the Dutch one at Lima and those of the Portuguese at Hila, which are almost entirely hidden underneath the contorted roots of a giant Banyan tree.

The ANZAC War Cemetery near Ambon town is the site of services held every year to commemorate the Allied soldiers who died in the region during world War 11. Ambon is at Maluku end of the annual yacht race between Darwin, Australia and Ambon. The race usually takes place in August. Ambon, as a beautiful city, has a lot of tourism objects that offer the tourist much beautiful scenery. On arrival in AMBON, you will be met at Pattimura airport, transfer to your hotel. After lunch, visit WAISELAKA POND in WAAI, its clear crystal water inhabited by holy eel, The Crazy Bamboo Performance. You can have dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Ambon, the provincial capital of Maluku which is built on a hillside overlooking the bay, a number of interesting sites of historical and cultural interest. Among them are the remnants of some old forts bulit by the Dutch East India company during they heyday of the spice trade and the Museum Siswa Lima with it’s collection of local arts and crafts.More ruins of forts are found elsewhere on Ambon Island, such as those of a Dutch one at Lima and those of the old Portuguese fortress at hill, on the other side, which is almost entirely hidden underneath the cntorted roots of a giant bayan tree.

The ANZAC War Cemetery near Ambon town is the site of services held every year to commemorate the Allied soldiers who died in the region during World War II. Ambon is at the Maluku end of the annual yacht race between Darwin, Australian, and Ambon usually takes place in August.

Maluku tourism profile that contains the object and appeal as well as visiting the Moluccas, are realities that are so promising potential for tourism, especially for tourists to come visit it's time to see the natural beauty include: Availability of appeal in accordance with the characteristics of the underwater area as the Maluku islands, volcano Area hills' natural scenery, Gulf, Lakes and Hospitality Molucan community that has been known since long ago with the tradition of community that considers "Tourists As the King".

Maluku its approximately 1000 islands support a population of less than 1.7 million people. The average population density figure is 19 people per-square kilometer, but the distribution is uneven. Air and sea transportation is the main means, which link the islands together. The province has 32 seaports and 20 airports, and only about 160 km of roads. However, good roads on many of the islands provide easy access to the often-remote places of tourists' interest.

Maluku lies in the transition zone between Asiatic and Australian flora and fauna and has a tropical climate. Maluku's flora includes meranti trees and many kinds of orchids; distinctive fauna includes cuscuses, birds of paradise, wild goats, and parrots. The economy is based on subsistence agriculture, especially sago (the sago palm, producing a starch used in food), and on the export of such products as spices, cacao, coffee, coconuts, fish, and minerals. Important indigenous groups include the Ambonese.

A great variety of endemic plant and animal species are found in the rugged forest-covered and mountainous hinterlands of most of the islands. A few of the best known are the Rucker-tailed kingfisher, the red-crested Moluccan cockatoo, and various brilliantly colored lorikeets and parrots. Most of Maluku sits astride one of the world's most volatile volcanic belts.

Traditional Costumes

The unique dress worn by Maluku women is Manampal coat which is a unique Ambon coat.For formal ceremonies, Maluku men usually wear red or black color coat with laced under wear and belts.The women wear Cele dress, a kind of coat, adorned with earrings, necklace, and rings.The women usually bring Lenso Pinggang in certain ceremonies, that is a white handkerchief which is how rarely laid at hip.

Halmahera

Ternate, a little island off the west coast of Halmahera in notrhern Maluku, was once the seat of an important kingdon which prospered from the spice trade. The Portguese, the Spanish and the Dutch vied with each other for influence on this island. The old sultan’s palace in Ternate town is now a museum. In the vicinity are the ruins of old Portuguese. Spanish and Dutch forts. The remnants of the Dutch fort Orange are right inside the town.

About five kilometers west of the town, on the slope of the 1.715 meters tall volcano in the middle of the island, is Afo, with it’s giant clove tree, said to be more than 350 years old. Morotai Island, just off Halmahera’s northern arm, was an important airbase during World War II. First for the Allies, and later for the Japanese until it’s recapture near the end of the war. The ghosts of war still linger in this area, where many wrecks of aircraft and rusting guns lie abandoned in the bushes.

Banda

The group about 160 kilometers southeast of Ambon consist of three larger islands and 7 smaller ones, perched on the rim of Indonesia’s deepest sea, the Banda sea. Near the island Manuk, the water reaches a depth of more than 6.500 meters.Of the three biggest island, Banda, Banda Neira and Mount Api. The first to are covered with nutmeg trees and oother vegetation. The third, is entirely bare and highly volcanic. The last eruption of Mount Api occurred only a few years ago.The seas around Banda are the site of the famous Maluku sea gardens with their bright corals and colorful fish darting through the crystal clear waters. Facilities for sightseeing, snorkeling and skin diving are available, as well as clean, comfortable cottages, banda saw some of the bloodiest episodes of Maluku’s history pass during the 17^th century.

In 1609, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) dispatched Verhoeff to the islands to obtain the contested spice trade monopoly at any cost. Confronted by a superior power, the people of Banda were forced to allow the company the establishment of a fort, but in that same year Verhoeff was killed together with 45 to his men. The company retaliated, but peace was not restored.In 1619, VOC Governor, General Jan Pieterszoon Coen arrived at the head of a penal expedition and exterminated the entire population of Banda.  The land was divided into lots, called perken, and given to former company employees, the perkiniers, who were obliged to grow nutmeg and sell them at predetermined prices to the company. Slaves did the actual work on the fields.

The old perkeniers houses, or what is left of them, and old churches still lend a peculiar colonial character to the port town of bandaneire today. Two old forts, Belgica and Nassau, are inside the town limits. Others are found elsewhere on the islands. Available also the former Dutch Governor’s Mansion, the Museum of History in Neira, and the huge nutmeg plantation nearby.

The objects interesting are:

Marine Park, Pasir Panjang, Liang Beach, Coral Sea Gardens, Seram Island, Natsepa Beach

Victoria Fortress, Pattimura Monument, Mount Api, Tual, Lelisa Beach, Siwalima Museum, Tanjung, Santai Beach, Felawatu Beach, Pintu Kota

For complete information you could have on the “Text Book Guiding To Indonesia” By F. I. Fatrick.

Transportation

The capital of Maluku, Ambon could be reached from Jakarta and other major cities and ports by sea and air. Air and sea transpot are also the links that connect Ambon with some of the major towns elsewhere in Maluku, such as Ternate and Tual in the Kai Islands. Land transportation is available only in the city.

North Maluku

North Maluku

The Capital City of North Maluku Province is “Ternate”

North Maluku is a province of Indonesia. It covers the northern part of Maluku Islands, which are divided between him and Maluku province. Maluku province used to cover the entire group. The province has planned Sofifi, on Halmahera, but the current capital and most populous island of Ternate. Thus, the capital of North Maluku Ternate. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the islands of North Maluku, the original “Spice Islands” were. At that time the region was the sole source of cloves. The Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish and local kingdoms including Ternate and Tidore fought each other for control over the lucrative trade in spices. Nutmeg trees planted and since then have been transported around the world and stopped the demand for nutmeg from the original Spice Islands, has greatly reduced North Maluku international importance.

In North Maluku, the country makes only 15 percent of the total surface area. In many places the surrounding seas could be thousands of meters deep. North Maluku is located in a transitional zone between the Asian and Australian flora and fauna, but also between the Malay-based cultures of western Indonesia and those of Melanesia. A wide variety of endemic plant and animal species are found in the rugged wooded and mountainous hinterlands of most islands. Some of the best known are the Rucker-tailed Kingfisher, Red-crested Moluccan cockatoo, and various colorful parrots and parakeets.

North Maluku sits astride one of the world’s most volatile volcanic belts. The region has known more than 70 eruptions in the last 400 years. Tremors and volcanic eruptions are not rare events currently. Many islands, in fact, from a distance as the volcano right to seek from the sea. North Mamuju regency with its capital Pasangkayu is the youngest regency and located in West Sulawesi upstate, North Mamuju regency is the result of spin-offs from Mamuju regency. While from Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi with the distance about 130 Km, it through about 3 hours. The wide of North Mamuju regency region is 3043,75 Km2.

 

North Maluku is a province of Indonesia, it covers the northern part of Maluku Islands, which are split between it and Maluku Province. Maluku Province used to cover the entire group. The planned provincial is Sofifi, on Halmahera, but the current capital and largest population is Ternate Island. So, the capital of North Maluku is Ternate. In the sixteenth and seventeenth century, the islands of North Maluku were the original "Spice Islands". At the time, the region was the sole source of cloves. The Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, and local kingdoms including Ternate and Tidore fought each other for control of the lucrative trade in these spices. Nutmeg trees have since been transported and replanted all around the world and the demand for nutmeg from the original spice islands has ceased, greatly reducing North Maluku's international importance.

In North Maluku the land makes up just 15 percent of the area's total surface. In many places the surrounding seas could be thousands of meters deep. North Maluku is in a transition zone between the Asian and Australian fauna and flora, and also between the Malay-based cultures of western Indonesia and those of Melanesia.A great variety of endemic plant and animal species are found in the rugged forest-covered and mountainous hinterlands of most of the islands. A few of the best known are the Rucker-tailed Kingfisher, the Red-crested Moluccan Cockatoo and various brilliantly colored lorikeets and parrots. North Maluku sits astride one of the world's most volatile volcanic belts. The region has known more than 70 eruptions in the last 400 years. Tremors and volcanic eruptions are by no means rare events at present. Many islands, in fact, look from a distance like volcanic cones rising right out of the sea.

Geographically

North Mamuju regency lay between 3o 39 to 4o 16 South Latitude and 119o 53 to 120o 27 East Longitudes with regional boundaries:North side: Donggala regency and Sulawesi ProvinceSouth side: Mamuju regency East side: North Luwu regency 

West side: Makassar Strait. North Mamuju regency is the alliance of Pasangkayu district with Sarudu district, Baras, and previous Bambalamotu become the Mamuju regency part before bloomed in 2001. Distance that is relative has near by that pass the time going through 8-9 hours. The condition of the road is about 30 % is result much time castaway. Most of of the road surface consisted of gravel mixed soil.

In economics aspect, Matra has depended on the agriculture sector. The contribution agriculture to domestic product regional gross (PDRB) North Mamuju in 2002 is noted of Rp 238,67 billions. This is the equivalent value with 78,32 % economic activity total Rp 304,72 billions. In sector agriculture, plantations become main driving wheel. Economic activity in plantation area yield not less than 195,62 billions.

Wide Area : The wide area of North Maluku Region is 164.370,12 Km2.

Traditional Costumes

The fashion mode style of traditional people of North Maluku influenced by costume mode of emperor of Ternate and Tidore. For example Baju Koja (long flowing robe), this shirt usually was put on by prince and families in thte traditional ceremony, but now it can be worn by teenagers in the special event. Bahu Koja is complemented by head tie (Taala Polulu). For a women usually wear long Kebaya cloth that have nine buttons added with jewelry and sandals.

Climate

There are two seasons that are suitable for sailing to these islands: February-March and October-November, when the wind and the waves are low.

Government Administration

Maluku Province has 5 Regencies, 2 city, 45 districts, 650 villages and 80 sub-districts. They are:

West Halmahera Regency, Sula Islands

South Halmahera Regency

North Halmahera Regency

East Halmahera Regency

Ternate City and Tidore islands

Demography

The population of North Maluku is 870,000 (according to the National Socio-Economic Survey, 2004, making it the least populous province in Indonesia. The Tribes are: Module, Pagu, Ternate, Makian Barat, Kao, Tidore, Buli, Patani, Maba, Sawai, Weda, Gne, Makian Timur, Kayoa, Bacan, Sula, ange, Siboyo, dan Kadai. Galela, Tobelo, Loloda, Tobaru, Sahu. The religions that had developed in Maluku are Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Buddha, etc.

Breeding Sector

The development of breeding sub sector is pointed to increase population and livestock production to fulfill the consumption of nourishment public would, side that also applied to increase breeder earnings. It is between population of livestock growing in North Mamuju regency is ox livestock, buffalo, goat and sheep. While for poultry type is race chicken, local chicken and duck.

Plantation Sector

Plantation crop production in North Mamuju regency hardly potential with the oil coconut commodity with broadly area about 15000 ha. Beside that it is also has cacao plantation area about 16000 hectares, while the clove about 145 hectares and coconut in broadly about 4100 hectares. From the data in 2002 absorbent labors at this plantation at least 4200 farmers, out of 4158 productive trees is yielded of 4794 coconut tons. Its marketing area is Surabaya. Coconut is sent to East Java province through public port in Sarudu. Besides suited for plantation crop, Abbreviation dimension from Northy Mamuju is hardly suited for sweet orange cultivated. This crop grows either in Pasangkayu, Sarudu and Baras district. It wide area is 1.026.250 Ha and there is around one million trees yielding 94942 orange tons. Its marketing area is Surabaya, Samarinda and Manado being ship through Belang-belang Port in Mamuju regency.

Cakalele Dance

Cakalele Dance is war dance the same in North Sulawesi that often held as a dance to greet the guest who visit this region or held in traditional event. The Cakalele men dancers usually used chopper and 'salawaku', while the women dancers used 'Lenso' (hand kerchief).

The objects of interest are:

Tagalaya Beach, Dorume Beach, Talaga Biru, Dodola Island, Kupakupa Beach, Kumo Beach, Luari Beach, Zumzum Island, Obotobo Sea Garden, Bobale Beach, Talaga Duma, Kapasti, Somola Bay, Padi Wangoira, Tolire Besar Lake, Kedaton Sultan Ternate, Crown of the Sultan of Ternate, Traditional House Sasadu, Sultan Ternat, Sultan Tidore, Coka Dance Iba, Dance Soya-Soya, Dance Fund-Fund, Dance Gala, Music Gala, Dodola Island, Manaf Coast, Lake Duma and Makete, Ngade Lake and Lake Tolire, Kayoa Islands, Waterfall Cibi Cebi, Island Maitara and Tidore, Bobale Island, Kupa-kupa beach and Luari, Island Curse, Sambiki Island, Island-Zum Zum, Cobo Coast, Mare Island, Fortress Orange, Fortress Kalamata, Fortress Bernaveld, Antique Cannon and Bunker, Fortress Tolukko, Fortress Kotanaka, Fortress Dever Lacting, Mount Gamalama.

For complete information you could have on the “Text Book Guiding To Indonesia” By F. I. Fatrick.

Transportation

Air and sea transportation are the main means, which link the islands together. Good roads on the islands provide easy access to the often-remote places of interest.