Moluccas

Moluccas, also Spice Islands, islands in the eastern portion of the Republic of Indonesia, part of the Malay Archipelago. The group includes most of the islands between Celebes and New Guinea and between Timor and the Philippines. The islands export cloves, nutmeg, and other spices, copra, and various hardwoods. The northern islands are Halmahera (the largest of the Moluccas), Morotai, Ternate, Tidore, Makian, Bacan (Batjan), Obi, and Sula; the central and southern islands are Buru, Seram, Ambon, the Banda Islands, Kai, Aru, Tanimbar, Babar, Kisar, and Wetar. The population is mostly of Malayan origin. The combined areas of the group total about 74,500 sq km (28,800 sq mi); population 1,741,800 (1988 estimate).