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Maluku has long been famed for its beaches and sea gardens, which is not surprising: It is the only Indonesian province which has more water than land: 90 per cent of the province is deep sea.
It has 999 islands, large and small, 32 sea ports and 20 airstrips and airports, the main one being Pattimura Airport near the provincial capital of Ambon.
In Maluku, more than anywhere else in Indonesia, the shift from the Asian to the Australian flora and fauna is marked. So is the transition from the Malay-Indonesia cultural environment to that of Melanesia.
With a current population of 2.0 million, or a population density of 24 people per square kilometre, Maluku was in the 16th and 17th centuries famed throughout the world as supplier of spices.
No wonder it was the scene of fierce rivalry among the major seafaring nations of Europe during that era of European expansion.
Remains of a Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish and British presence can still be found on many of the islands, especially on Ambon and Banda. The European influence is also evident in music and dance and in many other aspects of life.
Irian Jaya, known to collectors for its fine "primitive" art, is a land of contrasts. Modern towns and cities along the coast coexit with isolated settlements of simple shacks in the forest covered hinterland.
Great swamp covered plains extend in the shadow of towering mountain peaks, some which so high they are perpetually covered with snow. The tallest peak is that of Jayawijaya, whose snow capped crest rises 5,500 metres into the sky.
The indigenous population of MElanesian stock, its divided into some 250 sub-groups, speaking about as many dialects.
Those living in isolation in the hinterland have remained little touched by foreign influences, although the work of missionaries is speeding up the modernization process.
The majority of the population is Protestant, especially in the North and West, while the Roman Catholic Church is dominant in the south and in the hinterland around Enarotali.
Islam is the main religion of the indigenous people in Fak-fak and on the Raja Ampat Island, while animism survives in remote hinterland areas.
Once considered a frontier area, Irian Jaya is opening up to the world, especially after the improvements at Biak Airport.
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© Copyright 1996 Abraham Godong. All rights reserved.
