Ternate

Clinging to a volcanic cone, Ternate offers some lovely views of the Maluku islands and is a useful base for exploring the province of North Maluku. The town is dominated by the 5700 ft high Mount Gamalama. The mountain is an active volcano which erupts regularly, covering the island with volcanic dust.

Geography.
Ternate is located in the Maluka Islands in the East of Indonesia off the west coast of the bigger Island of Halmhera. The Malukas are very lush and green due to the high rainfall and there are said to be 999 islands in the group.

History.
Ternate Island and neighbouring Tidore were the world’s single major producer of cloves upon which gave their rulers great wealth and power. Much of their wealth, however, was wasted fighting each other!! Over the years the several European countries have ruled Ternate including the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and of course the British. Japanese troops invaded the island in 1942 and stayed till 1945.

Population.
Ternate Island has a small population of approx 600,000 whilst the whole Malukus group has around 2 million inhabitants.

Area. 76 sq km or 130 sq miles.

Religion
Mainly Muslim, Islam and Christianity. In 1999 and 2000, Ternate suffered from the same religious violence between Muslims and Christians that wracked many parts of Maluku,

Industry.
Spices, Timber, Fishing.

To see and do.
Fort Oranye- built by the Dutch in 1607 and the former home of the Dutch East Indies Co., Ahmad Yani Port where Pelni ships arrive, the current Sultan’s Palace, built in 1796 and the home of the Palace’s museum. Ternate is a good base for travellers wishing to explore North Maluka.

 

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