Ternate

Ternate is a major city and island located in the North Maluku province of Indonesia. It sits within the Maluku Islands, just off the west coast of the larger island of Halmahera.

The city is not just one landmass, but is composed of five distinct islands. The largest is the main island of Ternate, which provides the city's namesake. The other four islands are Moti, Hiri, Tifure, and Mayau. Together with small offshore islets like Makka, Mano, and Gurida, these form the Batang Dua Islands. As a central hub, Ternate serves as the economic, cultural, and educational heart of the North Maluku region.

Today, Ternate is the most densely populated city in its province. The city covers a total land area of 162.20 square kilometres. According to the 2010 census, the population was 185,705 people. This number grew to 205,001 by the 2020 census. Mid-2024 estimates suggest the population reached 210,836 people. This creates a high population density of 1,264 people per square kilometre.

The population is nearly even between genders, with 104,128 males and 100,792 females recorded in 2023.

The history of Ternate began with migrations from Halmahera around the year 1250. These settlers initially established a village called Tobona on the hillsides of Mount Gamalama. At that time, the area was ruled by tribal chiefs known as Momole. These small, independent settlements eventually unified under a single leader. In 1257, the chiefs chose a leader named Cico to rule collectively. Cico adopted the title Kolano, which means king.

Over time, the capital moved from Sampalu village to Formadiahi.

Ternate rose to global importance as a center for the spice trade. The region was famous for producing cloves, which made the local rulers incredibly wealthy. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Ternate was the capital of a powerful Sultanate. The ruler Zainal Abidin officially transformed the kingdom into an Islamic sultanate between 1468 and 1500. He introduced the title of Sultan and created the Jolabe, a council of Islamic clerics. This council advised the Sultan on religious matters and helped structure the government. This period of Islamization also spread to neighboring areas like Tidore and Bacan.

Because of the valuable clove trade, European powers competed for control of the islands. The Portuguese arrived in 1512 and built Fort Kastela on the island. However, relations between the Portuguese and the Ternateans were often strained. Conflicts arose over religious differences and attempts by the Portuguese to monopolize the spice trade. In 1575, Sultan Babullah successfully drove the Portuguese out of their castle. Under his rule, the sultanate reached a peak of power. His influence extended across much of eastern Sulawesi, the Banda Islands, and parts of Papua.

Later, the Spanish and the Dutch entered a period of intense competition in the region. In 1606, Spanish forces captured the former Portuguese fort from the Ternateans. This led to a division of the island between two colonial powers. The Spaniards allied with the Sultanate of Tidore, while the Dutch allied with Ternate. The Dutch eventually became the dominant ruling power in Maluku. By 1824, Ternate had become the capital of a large administrative residency. This residency covered Halmahera, the west coast of New Guinea, and parts of Sulawesi.

The legacy of this colonial era can still be seen in the people and names of the region. When the Spanish abandoned Ternate in 1663, some families moved to the Philippines. These families settled in places like Manila and Cavite. They even named a town Ternate in the Philippines after their original home.

Today, Ternate remains a vital connection point for the surrounding islands. While the global spice trade has changed, the historical influence of the Sultanate remains a core part of the city's identity.