Sulawesi
Region and island in Indonesia
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Key Takeaways
- Sulawesi ( SOO -lə- WAY -see , Indonesian: [ˌsulaˈwesi] ), also known as Celebes ( SEL -ib-eez, sə- LEE -beez ), is an island in Indonesia.
- Within Indonesia, only Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua are larger in territory, and only Java and Sumatra are more populous.
- Three gulfs separate these peninsulas: the Gulf of Tomini between the northern Minahasa and East peninsulas, the Tolo Gulf between the East and Southeast peninsulas, and the Gulf of Boni between the South and Southeast peninsulas.
- Etymology The name Sulawesi possibly comes from the words sula ("island") and besi ("iron") and may refer to the historical export of iron from the rich Lake Matano iron deposits.
- The name Celebes was originally given to the island by Portuguese explorers.
Sulawesi ( SOO-lə-WAY-see, Indonesian: [ˌsulaˈwesi]), also known as Celebes ( SEL-ib-eez, sə-LEE-beez), is an island in Indonesia. One of the four Greater Sunda Islands, and the world's 11th-largest island, it is situated east of Borneo, west of the Maluku Islands, and south of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. Within Indonesia, only Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua are larger in territory, and only Java and Sumatra are more populous.
The landmass of Sulawesi includes four peninsulas: the northern Minahasa Peninsula, the East Peninsula, the South Peninsula, and the Southeast Peninsula. Three gulfs separate these peninsulas: the Gulf of Tomini between the northern Minahasa and East peninsulas, the Tolo Gulf between the East and Southeast peninsulas, and the Gulf of Boni between the South and Southeast peninsulas. The Strait of Makassar runs along the western side of the island and separates the island from Borneo.
Etymology
The name Sulawesi possibly comes from the words sula ("island") and besi ("iron") and may refer to the historical export of iron from the rich Lake Matano iron deposits. The name came into common use in English following Indonesian independence.
The name Celebes was originally given to the island by Portuguese explorers. While its direct translation is unclear, it might be a Portuguese rendering of the native name "Sulawesi".
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