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 is situated east of Borneo, west of the Maluku Islands, and south of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.

Within Indonesia, only Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua are larger in territory, and only Java and Sumatra are more populous. The island includes four main peninsulas: the northern Minahasa Peninsula, the East Peninsula, the South Peninsula, and the Southeast Peninsula.

Three gulfs separate these peninsulas: the Gulf of Tomini between the northern Minahasa and East peninsulas, the Tolo Gulf between the East and Southeast peninsulas, and the Gulf of Boni between the South and Southeast peninsulas. 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 could refer to the iron that was once mined and exported from Lake Matano.

Another name for the island is Celebes, which was used by Portuguese explorers. They likely took this name from the local name "Sulawesi," though its exact meaning in Portuguese is not fully known.

Geography

Sulawesi is the world's eleventh-largest island, covering an area of 186,216.16 km². The island has rugged mountains in the center, making travel between its peninsulas easier by sea than by road. Three main bays — the Tomini, Tolo, and Boni — divide the island into four peninsulas: the Minahasa or Northern Peninsula, East Peninsula, Southeast Peninsula, and South Peninsula.

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

Geology

Sulawesi rises from the deep seas surrounding it to a high, mostly non-volcanic, mountainous interior. Active volcanoes are found in the northern Minahasa Peninsula, stretching north to the Sangihe Islands, including Mount Lokon, Mount Awu, Soputan, and Karangetang.

The island was formed by the collision of terranes from the Asian Plate and the Australian Plate, with island arcs in the Pacific forming its northern and eastern parts. This complex tectonic history makes Sulawesi prone to earthquakes. The island is a composite landmass at the centre of the Asia-Australia collision zone, with parts once attached to either the Asian or Australian continental margins.

Prehistory

The oldest evidence of humans on Sulawesi comes from stone tools found near Ujung village, dating back at least 1.04 million years. These tools were made by early humans known as archaic humans.

In October 2014, amazing cave paintings in Maros were found to be about 40,000 years old, making them some of the oldest known hand stencils in the world. These paintings include images of pigs and other animals, showing that early humans lived on the island and created art. Later discoveries in 2019 and 2021 found even older paintings, with some dating back more than 44,000 years, showing hunting scenes and other figures. In January 2026, newly discovered hand stencils and human figures were dated to be at least 67,800 years old — the earliest 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 a bronze statue found near the Karama river, show that people lived there as early as the 2nd to 7th century AD. By the 14th century, several small kingdoms, such as Gowa and Makassar, were part of a big trading network that included places like Java.

Later, European explorers arrived. The Portuguese visited in the 1520s, looking for gold, and later the Dutch and English also came. The Dutch took control of parts of Sulawesi in the 17th century, changing the island's politics and culture. During the 20th century, Sulawesi became part of Indonesia after periods of Dutch rule and World War II.

Main articles: Hinduism in Southeast Asia, Buddhism in Southeast Asia, Hinduism in Indonesia, Buddhism in Indonesia, Greater India, Mandala (political model)

Population

Sulawesi is home to many people, with different groups living in various parts of the island. In 2020, about 19.9 million people lived there. The largest city is Makassar.

People on Sulawesi follow different religions. Most are Islam, especially in the southern parts. There are also many Christians, mainly in the northern areas. Smaller groups practice Hinduism, Buddhism, and other beliefs. Many people also hold onto traditional local customs alongside their main religion.

The island has many languages spoken by its people, each with its own unique culture and history.

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, resources, and jobs for many people living on the island.

Administration

Sulawesi was originally one province from 1945 to 1960. It was then split into two, and later divided again into six provinces today: Gorontalo, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi. The largest cities include Makassar, Manado, Palu, Kendari, and Gorontalo.

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 animals and plants from both Asia and Australia. The island has many unique species found nowhere else in the world. There are 8 national parks on Sulawesi, including Bogani Nani Wartabone and Lore Lindu National Park, which protect important habitats for wildlife.

Sulawesi is home to many special mammals, such as the anoa (a type of dwarf buffalo), babirusas (unique pigs), and several types of tarsiers and macaques. The island also has many unique rodents, bats, and smaller mammals. There are around 350 bird species on Sulawesi, including the maleo, which uses hot sand to cook its eggs, and several types of owls and starlings. The island has many interesting reptiles, such as pythons, monitor lizards, and several types of snakes and lizards that are found only on Sulawesi. There are also many kinds of frogs and other amphibians, as well as over 70 species of freshwater fish, many of which live only in Sulawesi's lakes and rivers.

Environment

Sulawesi faces serious environmental challenges, with deforestation being the biggest issue. By 2007, scientists found that 80 percent of the island's forests had been lost or damaged, mainly in lowlands and mangroves. Forests were cut down for logging, big farming projects, and nickel mining, putting many of Sulawesi's unique animals at risk.

The island also has many parks and protected areas to help save its nature. Sulawesi has six national parks, nineteen nature reserves, and three marine protected areas. However, these parks are often threatened by logging, mining, and clearing land for farming.