Geography of Moluccas
Moluccas, or Maluku, a group of islands that forms a province in eastern Indonesia. The largest islands are Halmahera, Buru, Ceram, Aru, and Tanimbar. Together, the Moluccas have an area of about 32,000 square miles (83,000 km2). Ambon, on Ambon island, is the area's most important commercial center. Most of the islands are heavily forested and mountainous, and several have active volcanoes. The climate is hot and humid throughout the year. Copra, sago, timber, cloves, and nutmeg are exported.
In 1511, Ferdinand Magellan explored the Moluccas, then called the Spice Islands, and in 1512 Portuguese settlers arrived. The Dutch seized control of the islands in 1605. The Japanese occupied the Moluccas during World War II. In 1950 the Moluccas became part of the new Republic of Indonesia.