The island of Ambon is located south of Ceram island in Central Maluku. It covers only 0,89% of the total archipelagos 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 mugged 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 gardens, clove and nutmeg plantations, fortresses, museum, old churches, old mosque, kind people, musical society, and many others. Around the island there are about 12 selected diving spots. The census counted of about 400.000 people as resident on the island of Ambon, and that included the City of Ambon. Some 100 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 divided in two parts. The Leihitu Peninsula's north-west 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 sub districts (kecamatan), Baguala, Sirimau and Nusaniwe.

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 traditional 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 hand woven by means of the 'ikat' technique, with delicate ornamentation. Well known textiles of this kind come from South-east Maluku. The textile patterns 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 the 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 colors. 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.