Gorontalo (province)

Gorontalo is a province of Indonesia on the island of Sulawesi. It lies on the northeastern peninsula bordered on the east by North Sulawesi and to the west Sulawesi Tengah.

The population is primarily for people of Gorontalo and committed to Islam ( 91%). In addition, there are about 20,000 Christians, 3,000 Hindus, 2,000 Buddhists and an undetermined number of animists, but should not be underestimated. The provincial capital, also named Gorontalo and has approximately 163,300 inhabitants.

History

Spanish and Portuguese spice traders reached the region in the 16th century. In the battle for supremacy Gorontalo fell into the sphere of influence of the Sultanate of Ternate ( in the Moluccas ) and was Islamized in 1600. In the 17th century, the Dutch came, but it took until the 19th century, until the whole island was under their rule. After the Japanese occupation in World War II, Indonesia was in 1949 independently and Gorontalo became a part of that State, first as part of the province of North Sulawesi. In 2001, Gorontalo was separated from North Sulawesi and its own province.

Economy

The province is mostly agricultural. It produces, among other palm oil, cloves, coconuts, cocoa and sugar cane, on the coasts there are fishing.

Tourism

Tourism is not yet very developed, the province advertises especially with diving vacations. The Port of Gorontalo city is the starting point to the ( dip ) tourist attractions Togean Islands, as well as Pagimana on the eastern arm of Sulawesi, with connectivity over land towards Luwuk, Ampana Poso, Palu and the south of the island.

Administrative divisions

Gorontalo consists of five administrative districts ( kabupaten ) and one city ( kota ).