Sulawesi Island, also known as Celebes, is one of the largest islands in Indonesia, located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago. It is bounded by the Celebes Sea to the north, the Molucca Sea to the east, the Banda Sea to the southeast, and the Flores Sea to the south.
Sulawesi is divided into six provinces: North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi. The island is home to a diverse range of cultures and languages, with dozens of different ethnic groups and languages spoken throughout the region.
Some of the notable tourist attractions on the island include Tana Toraja, an area famous for its unique traditional houses and elaborate funeral ceremonies; Bunaken National Marine Park, a world-renowned diving site with a stunning array of marine life; and the city of Makassar, which has a rich history and culture as a trading center for centuries. The island also boasts beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and towering mountains, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Provinces on Sulawesi
There are six provinces on the island of Sulawesi, which are:
- North Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara): located in the northern part of the island, it is known for its stunning natural beauty, including active volcanoes, lush forests, and beautiful beaches. The capital city is Manado.
- Gorontalo: located in the northern part of the island, it is known for its rich cultural heritage and beautiful marine parks. The capital city is Gorontalo.
- Central Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tengah): located in the central part of the island, it is known for its diverse landscapes, including mountains, lakes, and forests. The capital city is Palu.
- West Sulawesi (Sulawesi Barat): located in the western part of the island, it is known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs. The capital city is Mamuju.
- South Sulawesi (Sulawesi Selatan): located in the southern part of the island, it is known for its cultural heritage, including the Toraja highland region, as well as its beautiful beaches and islands. The capital city is Makassar.
- Southeast Sulawesi (Sulawesi Tenggara): located in the southeastern part of the island, it is known for its marine parks and coral reefs, as well as its diverse ethnic groups. The capital city is Kendari.
Special Characteristics
Sulawesi has several special characteristics that make it unique and fascinating:
- Cultural diversity: Sulawesi is home to dozens of different ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture and language. The island's cultural diversity is a result of its location at the crossroads of ancient trade routes and its history of colonization and migration.
- Unique traditional houses: One of the most distinctive features of Sulawesi's cultural heritage is the traditional houses found in the Tana Toraja region. These houses, known as tongkonan, are made of wood and bamboo, with roofs that curve upwards at each end, resembling the shape of a boat. They are often adorned with intricate carvings and symbols.
- Rich marine biodiversity: Sulawesi is surrounded by seas that are home to some of the richest marine biodiversity in the world. Bunaken National Marine Park, located off the coast of North Sulawesi, is a world-renowned diving site that boasts more than 390 species of coral and 3,000 species of fish.
- Lush rainforests: Sulawesi is covered in lush rainforests that are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including unique species like the tarsier, an adorable nocturnal primate with huge eyes.
- Volcanic activity: Sulawesi has a number of active and dormant volcanoes, including Mount Lokon, Mount Soputan, and Mount Baturube. These volcanoes have shaped the island's landscape and provided fertile soil for agriculture. However, they also pose a potential risk to the island's inhabitants.