Sulawesi (Celebes): a wild island with a unique shape

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Island with a particular shape, with four long peninsulas that branch out from a single central body, which makes it look like an octopus. Sulawesi (Celebes) is located between Borneo in the west and the Moluccas in the east. While the Philippines are in the north, and to the south is the island of Flores. Various and wide bays open along the coast. Between these to the south, between the two southern peninsulas, there is the Gulf of Bone, to the east is the Gulf of Tolo, while to the north is the large Gulf of Tomini.

Sulawesi, also often called by the name of Celebes, has an area of 174,600 sq km. This is a wild and mountainous island still little known by tourists who often only visit the southern part. In particular the Tana Toraja, that is the region of the Toraja people, famous for its funeral ceremonies and for its boat-shaped constructions. The two main cities of the island are Makassar to the south, and Manado located at the end of the island’s northern peninsula.

The interior of the island is mountainous and rich in forests there are numerous lakes and peaks that exceed 3,000 meters in height. The highest peak is Mount Rantemario (3,478 meters) located in the central southern part of Sulawesi. Among the lakes the largest are Lake Towuti (561 km²), Lake Tempe (350 km²) and Lake Poso (323 km²).

HOW TO GET TO SULAWESI (CELEBES)

The most important airport in Sulawesi is Makassar (Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, UPG). This airport has flights with most of the islands of Indonesia. Sulawesi is in fact easily accessible from the island of Bali. Between Makassar and Bali there is only one hour flight.

The other major airport on the island is Manado (Sam Ratulangi International Airport (MDC)). This airport has flights to some Indonesian destinations, Singapore and the Philippines.

The climate of Sulawesi.