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Indonesian Geography: a regional perspective by Caroline Jabuka

THE GREATER SUNDA ISLANDS

This region is the largest of regions in terms of size and population and is the richest in terms of natural resources and economic activity. 

The Greater Sunda Islands are comprised of five main islands, Sumatra being the most western of them with 37 million inhabitants. Sumatra is the fourth largest island in the world, lying between the Indian Ocean and the Java Sea. The eastern coast of Sumatra consists mostly of swampy lowland while a range of mountains known as the Bukit Barisan form a spine along the western edge creating an east to west communication barrier. Mineral resources in central Sumatra make it economically important to Indonesia while fertile volcanic soils in the proximity of the city of Medan yield agricultural potential. Located here is a portion of the 100 still active volcanoes in Indonesia.

To the southeast of Sumatra is the densely populated island of Java with over 100 million inhabitants totaling to 60% of Indonesia's population. This island lies over a volcanic arc with 27 to 35 volcanoes classified as active, making it one of the most volcanically active places in the world, but also making its soil one of the most fertile in the world. Java has a mountain system similar to that of Sumatra but that does not obstruct communication. This is due to the fact that they are eroded almost to their base level, making the construction of roads easier. This island holds the nations capital Jakarta and accounts for over half of the country's GDP.

The Indonesian portion of Borneo (shared with Malaysia and Brunei), known as Kalimantan, lies east of Sumatra with a population of 9.5 million. It is divided into four provinces and has a territory of swamps, jungle, mountains and, rivers. Kalimantan is Indonesia's principal source of hardwoods and timber and the eastern part of the island is a source of natural gas. Gold, diamonds and, coal are mined here with no active volcanoes.

The final main island in The Greater Sunda Islands region is Sulawesi. This islands' strangest characteristic is its shape. Shaped like an octopus with four tentacles, it is inhabited by 13 million people and is made up of rugged terrain. Sulawesi is the most mountainous of Indonesian islands with deep rift valleys with short, fast-flowing rivers. It has 11 active volcanoes in the northeast and south. 


 

THE LESSER SUNDA ISLANDS

The islands of the Lesser Sunda's are located to the east of Java and are influenced by the presence of the Australian continent. From Bali to Timor the major islands include Lombok, Sumbawa, Sumba and Flores. Bali is separated from Java by a shallow straight only about 2.5 km wide and is the first in the chain of islands. These islands are mountainous and when moving east from Bali to the west, rainfall lessens and the climate becomes drier. Lombok, Sumba and, Timor are the driest islands in the chain because they are situated to the west. They suffer from a lack of water making the land infertile and therefore the islands of Sumba and Timor have swamp problems. 

Bali, for most people, would be the only Indonesian island name they recognize. This is because Bali is a popular tourist destination with a population of 3 million people. It rises from the deep sea as a series of volcanic peaks and between these volcanic uplands and a southern peninsula there is a wide plain, which is the most populated area of Bali. Bali's mountains trap rain clouds, therefore blessing it with fertile soils and a hot and humid climate.

Timor, the island the furthest to the east of the Lesser Sunda Islands, is administratively confusing. The island is divided in half- east and west Timor. A former Portuguese colony, East Timor was taken over by Indonesian forces in 1976 and made the country's 27th province. In 1999, East Timor gained independence from Indonesia. The whole island of Timor is one of the driest islands in the archipelago therefore with a dry climate, Rocky Mountains and, poor soils.


 
 

THE MALUKU ISLANDS

These archipelagos of islands make up a province of their own. Once known as the Spice Islands or the Spiceries, the archipelago consists of over 1,000 islands. The total area of the province is made up of only one-tenth land and the total population is 1.9 million. They are situated between Sulawesi and New Guinea and the chain of volcanoes that run through Sumatra and Java continue in the Maluku Islands. The islands are mountainous and densely forested but contain some flat and swampy lands. Halmahera, Obi and, Seram are the largest of the islands while the most economically important is Ambon.

Tribal communities who have kept the same lifestyle from a century ago populate most of the islands in this province. There is really only one island that is more advanced economically than the others and that is Ambon. This island has a population of 250,000 and over 200 years ago was the center of the clove trade. In the 80's it was the most important harbor east of Sulawesi and its marine gardens are renowned for their beauty.


 
 

IRIAN JAYA

This Indonesian province takes up 47% of the second largest island in the world, New Guinea. It is also Indonesia's most remote and unpopulated provinces with large areas yet to be explored. Its population is 1.7 million with about four people per square km. The province is nine-tenths jungle and its interior ranges from steamy swamps to snow-capped mountains. Irian Jaya was once a land bridge that linked Southeast Asia and Australia. Today, its main geological feature is a range of mountains in the center of the island going from NW to SE. The island had never benefited from any kind of volcanic activity and therefore its soils are not very fertile. However, six snow-capped mountains are present in the central range and the southern slope of the range forms a wall along the island. This hinders communication between the northern and southern parts of the island. 

The Indonesian archipelago is situated in one of the busiest waterways in the world and has much beauty and diversity to offer the human eye. From menacing volcanoes and swaps to natural beaches and fauna, this nation is a pleasure to get to know...


 
 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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