:: South East Sulawesi Islands Travel Guide ::

South East Sulawesi (Indonesian: Sulawesi Tenggara) is a province of Indonesia on the island of Sulawesi. The capital of the province is Kendari, on the east coast of the peninsula.

The province is one of the most remote regions of Sulawesi; no highway connects it to the cities on the rest of the island, so the primary transportation link is a ferry across the Bone Sea between Watampone (Bone) in South Sulawesi and the port of Kolaka.

Formerly called the Celebes, Sulawesi is one of the world's most uniquely shaped islands. It is often referred to as the "Orchid Shaped Island". Historically, Sultans ruled this land and the Local area is Governed by regents. Today, Sulawesi is divided into four provinces, one of them being Southeast Sulawesi, covering the lower eastern leg of this beautiful island.

Southeast Sulawesi is an Indonesia province on Sulawesi Island. The capital of the province is Kendari, on the east coast of the peninsula. The province is one of the most remote regions of Sulawesi; no highway connects it to the cities on the rest of the island, so the primary transportation link is a ferry across Bone Sea between Watampone (Bone) in South Sulawesi and Kolaka port.

The population of the province is 1.771,951 (in 2000 Census), most of which is centered on Buton island of the Sulawesi south coast, and around Kendari. From the seventeenth century until the early twentieth century, the region was the site of the Buton (Butung) sultanate.

The Southeast Province is populated by more than 1,2 million people, in five diverse and interesting cultural groups: Tolaki, Morunene, Buton, Muna (Locally called Wuna), and Bajo. All offer the visitor a glimpse of life-styles, which have survived man's rush to modernization while using much of today's technology to their advantage.

Most of the land area of southeast Sulawesi is covered by natural jungle, with extensive plantations of teak and ironwood, which are used for local handicraft and contribute to the local economy. Much of the beauty of the region has been preserved for prosperity by declaring it "National Parks" and "Nature Preserve.

Wonereous animals, living freely, easily seen and appreciated by visitors, inhabit the entire province. Deer, Wild Pigs, Small Rodent-Like animals called Kus-Kus, Monkey, Snakes, Anoa (small buffalo) and numerous varieties of birds abound. But the hunting of animals is forbidden in national parks preserves and carefully controlled by local government, in other areas.

The friendly of the Sulawesi People, the local flora, fauna, and untouched beaches, are the highlights of this unique located. It is truly one of the world's last remaining. Natural habitats are waiting to show for the visitor who can appreciate such natural beauty and the people who live in it.

From the seventeenth century until the early twentieth century, the region was the site of the Buton (Butung) sultanate.

Ethnic groups
The main ethnic groups in South East Sulawesi are "Tolaki", "Buton", "Muna" etc.

Regencies
South East Sulawesi is divided into 2 municipalities and several regencies :
* Kolaka
* Kolaka Utara
* Kendari
* Konawe Selatan
* Bombana
* Buton
* Muna
* Wakatobi
And municipalities :
* Kendari
* Baubau

History
The Southeast Sulawesi Province is populated by more than 1.2 million people, in five diverse and interesting cultural groups: The Tolaki, Morunene, Buton, Muna (locally called the Wuna), and the Bajo. All offer the visitor a glimpse of life styles which have survived man's rush to modernization while using much of today's technology to their advantage. Most of the beauty of the region has been preserved for prosperity by declaring it "National Parks" and "Nature Preserve".

The entire province is inhabited by wonereous animals, living freely, easily seen and appreciated by visitor. Deer, Wild Pigs, Small Rodent- like animals called Kus-Kus, Monkey, Snakes, Anoa (Small Buffalo) and numerous varieties of bird abound. But the hunting of animals is forbidden in national parks and preserves and carefully controlled by local government, in other areas. The warmth of the Sulawesi people, the local flora, fauna, and untouched beaches, are the highlights of this unique loacale. It is truly one of the world's last remaining natural habitants waiting so show off for the visitor who can appreciate such natural beauty and the people who live in it.

C L I M A T E
The highest temperature in the province is about 31o c, the lowest is 19o C, and average is 25o C to 27o C. The rainfall in Southeast Sulawesi generally is not same in all regions, so that, this province can be divided in two regions, namely:

Wet region, with total rainfall of more than 2,000 mm per year is Northern part region of Kendari - Kolaka, and Northern part of Buton and Wakatobi area.
Semi-dry region, with a total rainfall of less than 2,000 mm per year the region of Kendari and Kolaka and Southern part of Southeast Sulawesi peninsula.
During five years later, the average rainfall in this province is about 1,904 mm per years, and the average of rainy-dry-days is 109 days per year.

There are two seasons all over Indonesia as well as on Sulawesi Island. Temperature range from 21 C to 35 C. Average temperature through the year is 27. Dry season is from May to October and rainy season is from November to April. The heavy rain happened in January and February.

TRANSPORTATION
Mainland transportation system is very important for further Southeast Sulawesi economic development. The improvement and extension of road system will provide to motivate marketable commodities and row materials into and out the rural agriculture production areas, and to the manufacturing and distribution center's.

Until the end of 1998 the length of road is Southeast Sulawesi has been developing about 8,444.78 kilometers.
Ferry Transportation

The rapid mainland transportation activities, which connects Southeast Sulawesi and South Sulawesi, Torobulu to Tampo and Tolandona to Bau-Bau, has an important role for the region economic growth. The Government has a great emphasis of the improvement of this ferry transportation system.
Sea Transportation

There are five harbors visited by ocean-going ship, inter-island ship, local and special ships. There are an also ocean fishing harbor named Kendari Ocean Fishing Harbor as center of fishing industrial activities.
Air Transportation
There are four airports in the region follows:
- Wolter Mongonsidi Airport : Kendari Regency
- Betoambari Airport : Buton Regency
- Pomalaa Airport : Kolaka Regency
- Sugimanaru Airport : Muna Regency.
Flight Schedule of Kendari to Ujung Pandang (South Sulawesi) is available daily. This route flight is served by Merpati Nusantara Airlines.

O C E A N O G R P H Y
The offshore water of Southeast Sulawesi covering about 110,000 sq. Km and has an abundance of fish. The potential resource is estimated at 500,000 tons of Fish annually. Permanent potency is 250,000 tons consist of Tuna, Skipjack, yellow fin, lobsters, shrimp, trout's and some other sea-products such as seaweed, sea cucumbers, and pearls.