North Maluku History

Formerly known as the Moluccas, these islands are the original Spice Islands, which in the 16th and 17th centuries lured the major seafaring nations of Europe to come to trade and to establish their power and influence in this part of the East.

Chinese annals of the Tang dynasty from around the middle of the 7th century A.D. make mention of a land named Mi-li-ku. The 14th century Javanese manuscript 'Nagarakertagama' mentions the name Maloko, meaning the island of Ternate, part of this province, which in the 17th century was known to the Portuguese as Moluquo.

It was Nicoli de Conti, however, who in 1440 revealed the existence of the Spice Islands to the Europeans. Using his information, Fra Maura drew his world map, and soon the race to the East began. In 1511, the Portuguese built their first fort in the area on the island of Ternate and established their monopoly of the clove trade.

The Spanish also came, but posed little trouble to the Portuguese. The Dutch, who arrived in 1599, on the other hand, proved to be their toughest contestants in the quest for Maluku's treasures. Armed conflicts broke out, taking a toll not only between the two rival European powers, but also among the local populations. The Dutch finally emerged as winners and established their trade monopoly with iron hand. Whole villages were razed to the ground and thousands of islanders died in the so-called Hongi expeditions launched by the Dutch to maintain their trade monopoly.

The British occupied Maluku for a brief period during the Napoleonic war between England and France. Dutch rule was restored in 1814, leading to a new rebellion under Matulessi, which the Dutch suppressed with difficulty. The compulsory cultivation of spices was abolished in Maluku only in 1863.

Traces of that turbulent period in Maluku's history can still be found on a number of islands. However, Maluku's great attraction for present-day visitors is its sea gardens, beaches and the beauty of the land. Music and dances and hybrid culture in general, are among the strong tourist drawing cards. Maluku Utara or North Maluku became a separate province from Maluku on January 1, 2000. Fish and other sea products are nowadays Maluku's major sources of revenue, but nickel, oil, manganese and timber also contribute to the province's wealth.

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About North Maluku

North Maluku is a province of Indonesia. It covers the northern part of Maluku Islands, which are split between it and Maluku Province. Maluku Province used to cover the entire group. The planned provincial is Sofifi, on Halmahera, but the current capital and largest population is Ternate Island. So, the capital of North Maluku is Ternate.

In the sixteenth and seventeenth century, the islands of North Maluku were the original "Spice Islands". At the time, the region was the sole source of cloves. The Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, and local kingdoms including Ternate and Tidore fought each other for control of the lucrative trade in these spices. Nutmeg trees have since been transported and replanted all around the world and the demand for nutmeg from the original spice islands has ceased, greatly reducing North Maluku's international importance.

In North Maluku the land makes up just 15 percent of the area's total surface. In many places the surrounding seas could be thousands of meters deep. North Maluku is in a transition zone between the Asian and Australian fauna and flora, and also between the Malay-based cultures of western Indonesia and those of Melanesia.

A great variety of endemic plant and animal species are found in the rugged forest-covered and mountainous hinterlands of most of the islands. A few of the best known are the Rucker-tailed Kingfisher, the Red-crested Moluccan Cockatoo and various brilliantly colored lorikeets and parrots.

North Maluku sits astride one of the world's most volatile volcanic belts. The region has known more than 70 eruptions in the last 400 years. Tremors and volcanic eruptions are by no means rare events at present. Many islands, in fact, look from a distance like volcanic cones rising right out of the sea.

TRANSPORTATION

Air and sea transportation are the main means, which link the islands together. Good roads on the islands provide easy access to the often-remote places of interest.

CLIMATE

There are two seasons that are suitable for sailing to these islands: February-March and October-November, when the wind and the waves are low.

GEOGRAPHICALLY

The boundaries of North Maluku is: 

East Side: Halmahera Sea

West Side: Maluku Sea

North Side: Pacific Ocean

South Side: Seram Sea

WIDE AREA

The wide area of North Maluku Region is 164.370,12 Km2.

DEMOGRAPHY 

The population of North Maluku is 870,000 (according to the National Socio-Economic Survey, 2004, making it the least populous province in Indonesia. The Tribes are: Module, Pagu, Ternate, Makian Barat, Kao, Tidore, Buli, Patani, Maba, Sawai, Weda, Gne, Makian Timur, Kayoa, Bacan, Sula, ange, Siboyo, dan Kadai. Galela, Tobelo, Loloda, Tobaru, Sahu. The religions that had developed in Maluku are Islam, Protestant, Catholic, Buddha, etc.

GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVELLY 

Maluku Province has 5 Regencies, 2 city, 45 districts, 650 villages and 80 sub-districts. They are:

West Halmahera Regency

Sula Islands

South Halmahera Regency

North Halmahera Regency

East Halmahera Regency

Ternate City and Tidore islands

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