MUNA ISLAND

Indonesian Pulau Muna, Dutch Moena Eiland island and kabupaten (regency), Sulawesi Tenggara provinsi (province), Indonesia. The island lies in the Flores Sea south of the southeastern arm of Celebes. With an area of 658 square miles (1,704 square km), it has a hilly surface, rising to 1,460 feet (445 m). The north and northeast have teak forests. The Muna, a Muslim people speaking an Austronesian language, practice a simple agriculture, raising rice and tubers. Their other food sources are sago and sea cucumber. The hoglike babirusa and the marsupial cuscus are found on the island. The main town and principal port is Raha, on the northeastern coast across the Strait of Butung from the neighbouring island of Butung to the east. Pop. (1980) 174,057.