Celebes

Celebes, commonly known by its Indonesian name Sulawesi, is a large island in Indonesia. It is the eleventh-largest island in the world, covering roughly 174,000 square kilometers.

Sulawesi has a distinctive irregular shape with a central mountain spine and several peninsulas projecting into the surrounding seas. It lies in the biogeographic region of Wallacea, home to tropical forests, alpine ranges on its high peaks, and extensive coral reefs. Major lakes include Lake Poso and the Malili lake system.

The island is ethnically diverse, with major groups such as the Bugis, Makassarese, Toraja, and Minahasa, among many others. Indonesian is the official language, while local languages such as Bugis, Makassarese, and Toraja are widely spoken.

Celebes has a long history of maritime trade and state formation. In the pre-colonial era, sultanates such as Gowa and Luwu played key roles in regional commerce. The island was incorporated into the Dutch East Indies in the 19th century and became part of Indonesia after independence in 1945.

The economy is based on agriculture (cocoa, coffee, cloves), fishing, and mining (nickel, copper, gold). Deforestation and habitat loss have affected coastal and forest ecosystems, and conservation efforts are ongoing.