KeletIndonézia

KeletIndonézia, or East Indonesia, refers to the eastern half of the Republic of Indonesia, an extensive archipelago that stretches from the Maluku Islands and eastern Sulawesi to East Nusa Tenggara and the western part of New Guinea. The region includes provinces such as Maluku, North Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, Southeast Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and the Papua and West Papua provinces. Its seas and waterways connect a vast area, with diverse ecosystems ranging from coral reefs and mangrove forests to tropical rainforests. The concept of East Indonesia is used in geographic and cultural contexts to highlight a distinct set of communities, languages, and landscapes separate from the western regions of the country.

Demographically, East Indonesia is among the most diverse parts of Indonesia. Papuan peoples inhabit the Papua and West Papua provinces, while Austronesian-speaking communities are common in Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, and Sulawesi. Indonesian serves as the lingua franca in administration and education. Religious affiliations vary by province, with significant Christian communities in many eastern provinces alongside Muslim communities and indigenous beliefs.

Economically, the region relies on natural resources, including mining (notably in Papua), fisheries, and agriculture, as well as forestry. Tourism has grown in areas such as Raja Ampat and Komodo National Park, contributing to local economies. East Indonesia’s geographic dispersion, extensive maritime routes, and biodiversity shape its infrastructure, trade potential, and regional planning, making it a key but challenging area within the Indonesian state.