SOLOR ISLANDS

Indonesian Kepulauan Solor group of three major and several smaller islands, Nusa Tenggara Timur provinsi (province), Indonesia. They lie west of the Alor Islands, with which they share population characteristics. The area of the group is 804 square miles (2,082 square km). The largest island of the group is Lomblen Island (499 square miles), which has several active volcanoes, including Mount Api (Fire Mountain). Adonara Island also has a volcano, while Solor Island contains the ruins of an old Portuguese fort. The people are Oceanic Negroids, speaking many languages, all belonging to the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) family. Most local inhabitants are animists, with some Muslim and Christian communities along the coasts. Ceremonial occasions often involve an exchange of pigs, gongs, and mokos (highly prized cast-bronze drums). Pop. (latest est.) 14,761.