Travel Information

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Formally known as Celebes, Sulawesi is situated between the Maluku Islands and Borneo and is considered one of the four larger Sunda Islands of Indonesia.

The origins of the name are unclear but it is commonly suggested that the modern name "Sulawesi" refers to the words sula('sand') and besi("iron"), a reference to the rich Lake Matano iron deposits. It is also suggested that the name came from the portugese word "celebres", meaning famous one, known for spices which attracted merchants throughout.

Being the 11th largest island in the world, it spans an area of 174,600km², with 2,290km² devoted to the Lore Lindu National Park in its conservation of the Austronesian wildlife species. Many of the species living on this Island are endemic to Sulawesi. On the whole, the hugely diverse flora and fauna on the island is poorly documented and dangerously threatened with extinction without public awareness.

The island's massive size also brings forth a wildly diverse set of people and culture, with eight major languages and religions. As of the 2000 census, the total population of Sulawesi's provinces was 14,946,488, about 7.25% of Indonesia's total population. The largest city is Makassar.

The island is subdivided into six provinces: Gorontalo, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and North Sulawesi.

Sulawesi is constantly bringing in visitors for its renowned diving destinations.