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Sulawesi island

21 Jul 2025 GS 1 Places in news & locations
Sulawesi island Click to view full image
Context : A passenger ferry caught fire off Sulawesi island in Indonesia , resulting in at least five deaths.

Geographical Overview:

  • Location: Located east of Borneo and west of the Maluku Islands, Sulawesi lies in the Wallacea biogeographical zone.

  • Shape: The island is known for its bizarre shape — four distinct peninsulas connected by a mountainous core, creating isolated ecological niches.

  • Provinces: Sulawesi is divided into six Indonesian provinces — North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, and Gorontalo.

                              

Line Proposed By Location Significance Faunal Zone Boundary
Wallace Line Alfred Russel Wallace (1859) Between Bali and Lombok, and between Borneo and Sulawesi Divides Asian fauna (west) from mixed species zone (east); marks a sharp contrast in species Western edge of the transitional zone (Wallacea)
Weber Line Max Carl Wilhelm Weber (1904) Runs east of Wallace Line, passing through Halmahera and Timor Suggests a central transition zone of mixed fauna; lies midway between Asia and Australia Middle of Wallacea (transition region)
Lydekker Line Richard Lydekker (1896) Along the eastern edge of the Wallacea, near New Guinea and Australia Marks boundary between Australian fauna and transitional fauna Western boundary of the Australian region

Geological Significance:

  • Tectonic Setting: Sulawesi lies at the confluence of several tectonic plates — Eurasian, Pacific, and Indo-Australian — making it seismically active.

  • Natural Disasters: It is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis, like the devastating Palu earthquake and tsunami (2018).

  • Volcanism: The island has several active volcanoes, especially in the north.

Biodiversity and Ecology:

  • Wallace Line: Sulawesi falls in the transitional zone between Asian and Australian fauna, known as Wallacea, proposed by Alfred Russel Wallace.

  • Endemic Species: Due to its isolation and ecological diversity, Sulawesi hosts numerous endemic species like:

    • Anoa (dwarf buffalo)

    • Maleo bird

    • Tarsiers (small primates)

  • Marine Biodiversity: The surrounding waters are part of the Coral Triangle, a global hotspot for marine biodiversity.

Environmental Challenges:

  • Deforestation: Driven by palm oil plantations, mining, and illegal logging.

  • Habitat Fragmentation: Infrastructure development and population pressure affect wildlife corridors.

  • Climate Change: Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity threaten coastal ecosystems and communities.

Socio-Cultural Landscape:

  • Ethnic Diversity: Home to several ethnic groups like Bugis, Makassarese, Toraja, and Minahasa.

  • Toraja Culture: Known for elaborate funeral rituals, unique architecture (Tongkonan), and indigenous beliefs.

  • Languages: Over 100 languages are spoken, reflecting deep cultural fragmentation.

Economic Importance:

  • Natural Resources: Rich in nickel, gold, and other minerals. Nickel mining is particularly significant for global electric vehicle battery supply chains.

  • Agriculture: Major crops include rice, coffee, and spices.

  • Fisheries: Coastal and inland fisheries support local livelihoods.

Geopolitical and Strategic Relevance:

  • Maritime Routes: Sulawesi lies along critical sea lanes in the Makassar Strait, important for global trade.

  • Security Concerns: Past separatist movements and terrorism (e.g., Poso region insurgency) highlight internal security issues.

  • Regional Cooperation: Indonesia’s management of Sulawesi ties into larger ASEAN cooperation on maritime security and environmental conservation.



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