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| Formerly known as the
Moluccas, these are the formed Spice islands, which Indian, Arab, Chinese and later
European traders spoke of. These islands felt the force of 16th and 17th attempts by major
European sea faring nations to establish their influence and power. In 1511, the
Portuguese built their first fort in the area on the island of Ternate and established a
monopoly of the clove trade. The Spanish also come, but posed little threat to the
Portuguese. It was the Dutch, who arrived in 1599, that proved to be a strong adversary in the quest for, and control of, Maluku's treasures. Armed conflicts broke out, taking a heavy toll from the island populations as well as the rival European powers and when the Dutch finally emerged as victors they enforced their trade monopoly with an iron first. Whole villages were razed to the ground and thousands of islanders died, especially on the island of Banda, in the so called Hongi Expeditions. The British briefly occupied Maluku during the Napoleonic Wars, but Dutch rule was restored in 1814 and it wasn't until 1863 that the compulsory cultivation of spices was abolished in the provinces. Now it is fish and other sea products that are Maluku's major sources of revenue, but nickel, oil, manganese and various kinds of timber also contribute to the province's wealth. The main gateway into Maluku is through the provincial capital of Ambon, which is served by regular flights to most parts of the archipelago. Air and sea transportation connect the islands them selves together very well. The province has 79 seaports and 25 airports, but only about 4km of roads. However, good roads on many of the islands provide easy access to the more remote places of interest. |
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