Malay Archipelago

Malay Archipelago, largest system of island groups in the world, situated south-east of Asia and north and north-west of Australia, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. The archipelago extends from about 20° north of the equator to about 10° south. It comprises New Guinea, the second-largest island in the world; Celebes; Borneo; the Philippine Islands; the Sunda Islands, which include Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Timor; the Moluccas; and numerous lesser islands. The total land area of the archipelago is about 2.8 million sq km (1.1 million sq mi). All of the islands of the archipelago are mountainous, and frequently of volcanic origin. The highest summit is Puncak Jaya (5,030 m/16,503 ft) on the island of New Guinea. Numerous active and extinct volcanoes are scattered throughout the archipelago. With few exceptions, the islands are extremely fertile, well watered, and covered by luxuriant tropical vegetation. Agriculture is the principal industry. The inhabitants of the archipelago belong predominantly to the Malayan and Melanesian racial groups. Besides the Republic of the Philippines, the system encompasses the Republic of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Brunei, and the states of Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia.