MALUKU

English Moluccas propinsi (province), island province of eastern Indonesia comprising about 1,000 islands, including the larger ones of Morotai, Mayu, Halmahera, Obi, Seram, Buru, Ambon, and Wetar. Located between Celebes to the west and Irian Jaya to the east, the province also includes the Sula, Bacan, Kai, Aru, Tanimbar, Babar, Leti, Banda, and Barat Daya island groups. The Moluccas almost encircle the Banda Sea; the islands are bounded by the Pacific Ocean on the north, the Molucca Sea on the west, the Timor Sea on the south, and the Ceram Sea on the east. The province has an area of 28,767 sq mi (74,505 sq km). Commonly referred to as the Spice Islands by the early Indian, Chinese, and Arab traders, the Moluccas formed part of the Javanese Majapahit Empire and the Srivijaya Empire (Sumatra) before Islam was introduced in the 15th century. The Portuguese entered the region in the early 16th century, and the Dutch, beginning in 1599, established settlements on some of the islands. The Dutch conquest was completed in 1667, when the sultan of Pulau (island) Tidore recognized Dutch sovereignty. The islands were ruled by the British between 1796 and 1802 and again in 181017; they were occupied by the Japanese during World War II. The Moluccas formed part of the Dutch-inspired, temporary autonomous state of East Indonesia in 1945. The southern Moluccas, led by Christian Ambonese from Pulau Ambon, revolted against the Indonesian government in 1950 and formed the short-lived Republic of South Moluccas. Surrounded by coral reefs and deep seas, the islands vary in size from tiny atolls to the large, mountainous islands of Halmahera (6,865 sq mi), Seram (6,621 sq mi), and Buru (3,670 sq mi). Pulau Ternate has an active volcano 5,416 ft (1,651 m) high, and Gunung (mount) Arpi on Pulau Banda emits fumes and smoke. Palau Ambon, near Seram, has frequent earthquakes but no active volcanoes. The Kapulanan (islands) Aru are low and swampy, and Babar and Wetar islands are hilly, with steep coasts. Many of the smaller islands are uninhabited. The slopes of the mountainous islands are covered with dense evergreen forests of pine, rhododendron, casuarina, and eucalyptus; mangrove and freshwater swamp forests line their coasts. The islands' lowlands are fertile because of the volcanic lava and ash that has been broken down and redistributed by small streams and wind action. Bird life includes the honeyeater; the racket tailed kingfisher; the giant redcrested Moluccan cockatoo; parakeet; black capped, purple, red, and green lory; and the white fruit pigeon of Seram. The marsupial of Aru, opossum, civet-cat, wild pig, and babirusa (wild East India swine) are also found. Agriculture constitutes the mainstay of the economy of these sparsely populated islands. Rice, sago, coconut, spices (including cloves and nutmeg), tobacco, resin, ironwood, rattan, timber, coffee, and tortoiseshell are the chief products. Fish, ebony, rattan, copra, spices, and bird skins are exported. Crafts include wood carving, silver and gold filigree work, the making of bracelets and rings, and handloom weaving. Nickel is mined and oil is exploited on Seram near Bula on the northeastern coast. Interisland traffic is mainly by steamer; inland transport on the larger islands is by roads that run parallel to the coasts. Halmahera has an airport at Jailolo. Ambon is the provincial capital; Ternate, Namlea, Masohi, Tual, Soasiu, Morotai, and Labuha are other important towns. Population consists mostly of coastal Malays and interior Alfoers. Other, less numerous ethnic groups include the Tanimbarese on the southern islands; Ambonese on the central islands; and Ternatan, Tidorese, Makianese, Tobelorese, Batjan, and Sawai, on the northern islands. Islam is the dominant religion; the Central Moluccas have a large number of Christians. Pop. (1980) 1,411,006.