Everything about Lombok totally explained
Lombok (population 2,950,105 in
2005) is an
island in
West Nusa Tenggara province,
Indonesia. It is part of the chain of the
Lesser Sunda Islands, with the
Lombok Strait separating it from
Bali to the west and the
Alas Strait between it and
Sumbawa to the east. It is roughly circular, with a "tail" to the southwest, about 70 km across and a total area of about 4,725 km² (1,825 sq mi). The administrative capital and largest city on the island is
Mataram.
History
The
Dutch first visited Lombok in
1674 and settled the eastern part of the island, leaving the western half to be ruled by a Hindu dynasty from Bali. The Sasaks chafed under Balinese rule, and a revolt in
1891 ended in
1894 with the annexation of the entire island to the
Netherlands East Indies.
Geography and demographics
The
Lombok Strait marks the passage of the
biogeographical division between the fauna of the
Indomalayan
ecozone and the distinctly different fauna of
Australasia that's known as the
Wallace Line, for
Alfred Russel Wallace, who first remarked upon the distinction between these two major
biomes.
The island's topography is dominated by the centrally-located
stratovolcano Mount Rinjani, which rises to 3,726 m (12,224 ft), making it the third-highest in Indonesia. The most recent eruption of Rinjani was in June-July, 1994. The volcano, and its sacred crater lake, 'Segara Anak' (child of the sea), are protected by a National Park established in
1997. The southern part of the island is a fertile plain where
corn,
rice,
coffee,
tobacco, and
cotton are grown.
The island's inhabitants are 85%
Sasak (a people, closely related to the
Balinese, but mostly practising
Islam), 10-15%
Balinese, with the small remainder being
Chinese,
Arab,
Javanese, and
Sumbawanese.
Economy and politics
Lombok has much in common with nearby Bali, but less well-known and less-visited by foreigners. It has been working to increase its visibility to
tourists in recent years, promoting itself as an "unspoiled Bali". The most-developed center of tourism is
Senggigi, spread in a 10-kilometer strip along the coastal road north of Mataram, while backpackers congregate in the
Gili Islands off the west coast. Other popular tourist destinations include Kuta (distinctly different from Kuta, Bali) where surfing is considered some of the best in the world by leading surfing magazines. The Kuta area is also famous for its beautiful, untouched beaches.
While the area may be considered economically depressed by First World standards, the island is fertile, has sufficient rainfall in most areas for agriculture, and possesses a variety of climate zones. Consequently, food in abundant quantity and variety is available inexpensively at local farmer's markets. A family of 4 can eat rice, vegetables, and fruit for as little as
US$0.50. Even though a family income may be as small as
US$1.00 per day from fishing or farming, many families are able to live a happy and productive live on astonishingly small incomes.
In early
2000 thousands fled from religious and ethnic violence that swept over the island, and tensions remain. Some travel websites warn that tourists sometimes provoke anger in this economically depressed region. This warning lacks credibility, since all of Lombok has had a long history of welcoming visitors to the island. Both the government and many of the residents recognize that tourism and the services required by tourists is Lombok's highest source of income. Further proof of the island's hospitality is show by the fact that tourists are virtually never seriously injured by any interaction with the local population. There is also a
refugee camp on the island, costs paid for by Australia, which holds mostly
Hazara Afghans who have tried to enter Australia by boat.
Emaar,
Emirati property company planned to build a new town sprawled in 1,200 hectares in Central Lombok. It costs estimated at US$600 million. It will have a 7 km natural waterfront, which will support a marina, apart from luxury residences and five-star resorts by
Ritz-Carlton. The Ritz-Carlton will also have a world class golf course and retail amenities. The homes will employ tropical designs and low-rise architecture in tune with the surroundings.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Lombok'.
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