Sulawesi (Celebes) is one of the Sunda Islands, in Indonesia. It is one of the larger islands of the Indian Archipelago, lying between Borneo on the west and the Moluccas on the east It consists mainly of four large peninsulas stretching to the east and south, and separated by three deep gulfs; covering a total area of about 54,000 square miles. No part of the island is more than 70 miles from the sea.
Sulawesi is mountainous chiefly in the centre and the north, where there are several active volcanoes. It has also broad grassy plains and extensive forests. Gold is found in all the valleys of the north peninsula, which abounds in sulphur. Copper occurs at various points, and in Macassar tin also. Diamonds and other precious stones are found. The island is entirely destitute of feline or canine animals, insectivora, the elephant, rhinoceros, and tapir (though these are found in Borneo); but it has the antelopean buffalo (Anoa), the spiral-tusked pig (Babiroussa), etc. Marsupial animals are represented by the cuscus, an opossum-like animal with a prehensile tail. Among the trees are the oak, teak, cedar, upas, bamboo, etc.
Traditionally, the maritime districts were inhabited by Malays; the Peninsula of Macassar being occupied by Bugis and Macassars. Mandhars dwelt in the west of the island, and the mountainous regions in the interior, especially in the north were inhabited by Alfoories. The three great languages of the island, not reckoning the dialects of the indigenous tribes, are those of the Bugis, the Macassars, and the Mandhars. The ancient Bugi is the language of science and religion. The Bugis have a considerable body of literature.
Sulawesi was first visited by the Portuguese in 1512, but no factory was established by them there until a few years later. In 1660 Macassar was taken by the Dutch, the southern portion of the island put under Dutch rule, and the Portuguese expelled. In 1683 the northern part likewise fell into their hands. The island was conquered by the British in 1811, but a few years later it was again given up to the Dutch, in whose possession remained until the 20th century. Research Sulawesi
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
Research Sulawesi