WONDERFUL INDONESIA
VISIT MALUKU
The Maluku Islands, also known as the Moluccas or the Spice Islands, are a region of Indonesia lying between Sulawesi and Papua. This region is largely very off-the-beaten track for travelers.
In the Dutch era, the Moluccas were known as the Spice Islands and were the only place on earth where nutmeg, mace, cloves and several other valuable spices were grown.
The over 632 islands Maluku are sprawled across a vast expanse of
ocean, sitting astride one of the world’s most volatile volcanic belts.
Maluku is blessed with incredible sea gardens, idyllic, tropical
beaches and rugged, forest-coated volcanic mountains.
source : Youtube
These are the famous ‘ spice islands’ which drew Indian, Chinese,
Arab and eventually European traders in search of cloves and nutmeg. In
1511, the Portuguese built their first fort in the area on the island
of Ternate, and cornered the clove trade. The Dutch, who arrived in
1599, mounted the first serious threat to Pourtuguese control of
Maluku’s treasures. Armed conflicts broke out, taking a heavy toll from
the island populations as well as the rival European powers. When the
Dutch finally emerged as victors they enforced their trade monopoly with
an iron fist. Whole villages were razed to the ground and thousands of
islanders died, especially on the island of Banda.
source : Youtube
The British briefly occupied Maluku during the Napoleonic Wars,
but Dutch rule was restored in 1814 and it wasn’t until 1863 that the
compulsory cultivation of spices was abolished in the province. Now fish
and other sea products are Maluku’s major sources of revenue, but
nickel, oil, manganese and various kinds of timber also contribute to
the province’s wealth.
The main gateway into Maluku is through the provincial capital
Ambon, which is served by regular flights to most parts of the
archipelago. Air and sea transportation connect the islands with 79
seaports and 25 airports. Roads on many of the islands provide acces to
the more remote places of interest.
source : http://wikitravel.org/en/Maluku
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