| INTRODUCTION
Ambon Island 
(click on the image to get better view)
The island of Ambon is located south of Ceram island in Central Maluku. It covers
only 0,89% of the total archipelagic region, (the size of about 761 sq.km) which makes it
an extreme by dot in the world map. The island is shaped like 2 horseshoes clinging
together creating 2 peninsulas only tied by a small passage at only one mile wide between
the Inner and the Baguala bays. The north-Western part is called the Leihitu Peninsula is
larger then the south-eastern which is the Leitimor Peninsula though much of the
population is centered in the latter.
With its nugged mountains along the interior parts of the peninsulas it is a beauty by its
own, where we can find a lot of tourists attractions, nature as well as
cultural/historical, like beaches, sea gerdens, clove and nutmeg plantations, fortresses,
museum, old churches, old mosque, kind people, musical society, and many others. Around
the island there are about 12 selectez diving spots.
The 1990 census counted of about 374,197 people as resident on tne island of Ambon, and
that included the City of Ambon. Some 91,453 thousand people live in the villages, while
most are concentrated in the city.
Administration and Government
The administration and government on the island of Ambon is devided in two parts. The
Leihitu Peninsula's north-westem coast is part of the district of Central Maluku with its
district-capital, Masohi on the island of Ceram, the south coast along the Bay of Ambon
and the whole Leitimor Peninsula is the Municipality of the City of Ambon.
The capital of the Province of Maluku is seated also in the City of Ambon.
The city of Ambon is further subdivided into 16 urban villages and 2 villages which are
spread in 3 subdistricts (kecamatan), Baguala, Sirimau and Nusaniwe.
People, Culture & Human Heritage
People and Culture
The original inhabitants of the Maluku archipelago are descended from the Austropolynesian
race (a mixture of Austronesians and Polynesians). Around 43,5% of the total population
Christian, 55,8% Moslem, and the rest is Hindu and buddhist.
The language used is Bahasa Indonesia, the national Indonesian language. There are more
than 200 dialects used by different ethnic groups spreading over the archipelago.
The major tribes have their own traditiona1 dresses, ceremonies and activities, some of
which are very exotic. The Buginese, Macasarnese, Butonese, and Javanese comprise the
coastal peoples. Traditional societies developed many communal relationships including
groups based on 9 villages (Patasiwa) and 5 villages (Patalima) that cooperated closely in
economic and warfare activities.
The traditional dress is handwoven by means of the 'ikat' technique, with delicate
ornamentation. Well known textiles of this kind come from South-east Maluku.
The textile pattens and ornamentation are specific for individual tribes and essential in
most of their traditional ceremonies (weddings, funerals, etc).
Food, Flora & Fauna
Traditional food  of Maluku is mostly prepared from sago  or sago flour and fish. Tuak,
Saguer or Sopi are names of a traditional drink made from the liquid obtained from sugar
palm trees.
Maluku has typical flora and fauna species, exotic and unusual in nature. Besides the
famous nutmeg and cloves, cultivated flora include cassava, maize, cocoa, rice, coffee,
eucalyptus and several tropical fruits.
Among non-culwatered plants, orchids - panther orchids, white orchids and black orchids
are among the most remarkable. Marine flora and fauna are as destinctive as those on land.
The Baruna fish in tha Banda Sea Marine Park is an example of Maluku's sea marvels. Other
interesting sea garden inhabitants include pearl oysters, shrimps, seaweeds, and beautiful
corals of all colours.
Rare decorative bird  Cockatoo and Nuri- can be found in Maluku's forests.
Marsupials in Maluku are evidence of the geographical connection to the Australasian
continent. |
