Flores Island is an island located in the middle of the Nusa Tenggara Islands, Indonesia. The island has an area of approximately 14,300 square kilometers and is one of the largest islands in eastern Indonesia.
Flores Island is known for its natural beauty, such as white sandy beaches, volcanoes, and dense tropical forests. One of the main attractions on the island is the national park located in the west, which is the Komodo National Park, which is the habitat of the giant Komodo dragon.
In addition, Flores Island also has diverse cultural riches. The indigenous people of Flores consist of various ethnic groups, such as the Bajo, Manggarai, and Ngada, who have unique customs and traditions. Some places that can be visited to see the cultural richness on Flores Island include Wae Rebo, Bena Village, and Caci Dance.
The largest city on Flores Island is Labuan Bajo, which is the starting point for trips to Komodo National Park. In this city, there are various facilities for tourists, such as hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
Provinces on Flores Island
Flores Island is divided into three provinces in Indonesia, which are:
- East Nusa Tenggara Province, with the capital city of Kupang.
- East Flores Province, with the capital city of Larantuka.
- West Flores Province, with the capital city of Ruteng.
It should be noted that since 2013, the East Nusa Tenggara Province also includes several regencies that were previously part of East Flores and West Flores Provinces. However, geographically, the island of Flores is still divided into three separate provinces.
Special Characteristics
Flores Island has some unique characteristics that distinguish it from other islands in Indonesia, including:
- Diverse culture: Flores Island is home to more than 30 different ethnic groups with unique customs, languages, and cultural practices such as traditional ceremonies, dances, and crafts.
- Diverse natural environment: Flores Island has diverse natural beauty, such as beautiful beaches, towering mountains, tropical forests, and stunning lakes and waterfalls. The island is also known for its active volcanoes, such as Mount Kelimutu, which has three different colored lakes on its summit.
- Amazing marine life: The islands around Flores offer incredible biodiversity, including beautiful coral reefs, fish, turtles, and other sea creatures. At the Komodo National Park, visitors can see the Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard, which is only found in this region.
- Rich history and archaeology: Flores Island has a rich history and culture, which is reflected in historical and archaeological sites such as megalithic sites, Hindu-Buddhist temples, and colonial churches.
- Unique religious culture: Flores Island is known for its strong Roman Catholicism, with almost 90% of the population being Catholic. This is related to the history of Catholicism's arrival on the island in the 16th century by Portuguese missionaries.
These unique characteristics make Flores Island an attractive tourist destination in Indonesia, especially for those who want to experience the island's natural beauty, culture, and history.