Sumbawa

Sumbawa is a large island in Indonesia.

It sits near other islands like Lombok and Flores. The land has big, grassy fields. People use these fields to raise horses and cattle.

A giant volcano named Mount Tambora is there. It is the highest point on the island. Long ago, the volcano had a very big eruption. This changed the weather around the world.

The island has many natural gifts. People find honey and wood there. Some wood is used to make red dye.

Many people work on farms to grow food.

There is also a very large mine. It finds gold and copper in the ground.

This mine is one of the biggest in the world.

Sumbawa is a place of many wonders. It is a very special part of the sea.

Sumbawa is a large island in Indonesia.

It sits in the middle of the Lesser Sunda Islands. To its west is Lombok. To its east is Flores.

The island has many different parts. The north coast sits by the Flores Sea. The south coast meets the Indian Ocean. A large bay called Saleh Bay almost cuts the island in two.

One of the many islands nearby is Moyo Island.

Mount Tambora is the highest point on the island. It is a large volcano. In 1815, it had a very powerful eruption. This event changed the weather around the world.

Many people live on Sumbawa. The population is about 1.6 million people. Most people work on farms. They grow food and raise horses or cattle. The island is also known for honey and wood.

There is also a very large mine in the southwest. This mine finds gold and copper. It is one of the biggest copper mines in the world.

Sumbawa is a large island in Indonesia. It sits in the middle of the Lesser Sunda Islands chain. To its west is the island of Lombok. To its east is Flores.

The island is surrounded by water on all sides. The Alas Strait separates it from Lombok. The Flores Sea runs along the north coast. The Indian Ocean meets the south coast. A large area called Saleh Bay almost cuts the island in two.

Nearby, you can find Moyo Island and the volcanic Sangeang Island.

The island has many different types of land. Large highlands rise up in four different spots. The most famous feature is Mount Tambora. It is a huge volcano on the north side. Mount Tambora is the highest point on the island. In 1815, it had a massive eruption. This was one of the most powerful eruptions ever recorded. It sent ash high into the sky. This caused the world to cool down for a year. This time was called the "Year Without a Summer."

History shows that many different groups have visited Sumbawa. People from Java, Bali, and Makassar have come to the island. In the 14th century, there were several small kingdoms here. The Dutch arrived in 1605. They did not rule the island until the early 20th century. The island is rich in natural resources. People have long used its honey and sandalwood. Sandalwood is a wood used for medicine and incense. The island is also known for sappanwood, which makes red dye.

Many people live on the island today. The population was about 1.56 million in 2020. By mid-2024, the estimate was about 1.67 million people. The island is split into two cultural areas. People in the west speak Basa Semawa. People in the east speak Nggahi Mbojo. The eastern half is often called Bima. Most people work in agriculture. They grow crops and raise cattle or horses. Some people also work in the large Batu Hijau mine.

This mine finds gold and copper in the southwest.

Traveling around Sumbawa can be a big job. There are roads, but many parts are rough gravel. People often use ferries to reach the island. You can take a ferry from Lombok to Poto Tano.

Flying is often the easiest way to visit. Many people also travel to work in other countries. Some go to places like Singapore or China. Even with these changes, the island remains a special place. It is a land of volcanoes, grasslands, and busy seas.

Sumbawa is a large island located in Indonesia. It sits within the Lesser Sunda Islands chain. To its west lies the island of Lombok. To its east is the island of Flores.

The island is part of the West Nusa Tenggara province. However, the Indonesian government has considered making it a separate province. This plan has been held in abeyance since 2013. The island serves as a cultural boundary. It separates western islands influenced by Indian religions from the eastern regions. This division is visible in the spread of Hinduism and Islam.

The geography of Sumbawa is defined by its many waters and high points. The Alas Strait separates the island from Lombok to the west. The Indian Ocean meets the south coast at Cempi Bay and Waworada Bay. To the east, the Sape Strait separates Sumbawa from Flores and the Komodo Islands. The Flores Sea runs along the northern coastline. A massive indentation called Saleh Bay almost cuts the island into two parts.

The Sanggar Peninsula is another major feature. The island contains several highlands and offshore islands like Moyo Island. Sangeang Island is also nearby and is volcanically active.

Mount Tambora is the most significant landmark on the island. It is a large stratovolcano located on the north side. A stratovolcano is a type of volcano built by layers of ash and lava. Tambora is the highest point on Sumbawa. In 1815, it experienced a massive VEI 7 eruption. This was one of the most powerful eruptions in recorded history. The blast ejected massive amounts of ash into the atmosphere. It reduced the mountain's height by about one third. This left a six-kilometer-wide caldera, which is a large crater. The eruption killed up to 71,000 people. It also caused global cooling in 1816, known as the "Year Without a Summer." This event destroyed the local Tambora culture.

The history of Sumbawa involves many different groups. In the 14th century, the Nagarakretagama mentioned several principalities. These included Dompu, Bima, Sape, and a group on Sangeang Api. Western principalities were part of the Majapahit Empire. Because the island had many resources, many groups invaded it. These included the Javanese, Balinese, and Makassar. The Dutch arrived in 1605. They did not effectively rule the island until the early 20th century. The eastern and central parts were once divided into four sultanates. These were Sumbawa, Sanggau, Dompo, and Bima. These sultanates had links to the Bugis and Makassar peoples.

Sumbawa has long been known for its natural resources. The island is a source of honey and sandalwood. Sandalwood is used for medications and incense. It is also known for sappanwood, which produces red dye. The climate features vast grasslands and a savanna-like environment. These areas are used to breed cattle and horses. Many people work in agriculture today. However, the island faces frequent droughts. This can lead to risks of starvation when crops fail. Because of this, many residents seek work in the Middle East. Some 500,000 workers from West Nusa Tenggara work overseas in places like Singapore or China.

The population of the island is quite large. The 2020 Census recorded 1,561,461 people. By mid-2024, the official estimate was 1,669,787. This group is divided into two main cultural halves. The western half is inhabited by the Sumbawa people. They speak Basa Semawa, which is similar to the Sasak language. The eastern half is known as Bima. The people there speak Nggahi Mbojo. This language is closer to those spoken on Flores. There is also a small minority group called the Don Donggo. They are known as the "Mountain People" and live in the highlands.

Modern industry plays a major role in the economy. The Batu Hijau mine is a massive operation in the southwest. It was started in 2000 by the Newmont Mining Corporation. This mine extracts gold and copper.

It is one of the largest copper mines in the world. Newmont holds a 45% stake in the mine. A unit of Japan's Sumitomo Corporation holds a 35% stake. The company has invested about $1.9 billion into the site. The reserves are expected to last until 2034. This mine helps give the Sumbawa Barat Regency a high GDP per capita. However, the mine has also been linked to water pollution.

Travel to the island can be challenging. The road network is often poorly maintained. Many sections consist of rough gravel. People often use ferries to travel. For example, ferries run from Lombok to Poto Tano.

Other ferry services, like those from Sape to Flores, are infrequent. Flying is often the most convenient way to reach the island. Bima Airport provides commercial flights to Denpasar and Makassar. Tourism is also growing. The island has world-class surf spots at Jelenga and Lakey Beach.