The over 632 Maluku archipelago strung like gemstones across crystal-blue tropical seas, sitting astride one of the world’s most volatile volcanic belts. Maluku islands are extraordinarily beautiful and varied, some are volcanic and dressed in luxuriant vegetation, others coralline and lined with swaying palms containing some of the finest beach in Indonesia.

The islands’ spices meant the Maluku islands came into contact with all manner of local, Arabic and European traders at an early stage. In 1511, the Portuguese built their first fort in the area on the island of Ternate, and cornered the clove trade. The Dutch, who arrived in 1599, mounted the first serious threat to Portuguese control of Maluku’s treasures. Armed conflicts broke out, taking a heavy toll from the island populations as well as the rival European powers. When the Dutch finally emerged as victors they enforced their trade monopoly with an iron fist. Whole villages were razed to the ground and thousands of islanders died, especially on the island of Banda.

The administrative areas of Maluku Province are the North Maluku, whose main island is Halmahera, the Central Maluku, with Ambon and Seram, and the South-East Maluku, with Tanimbar, Kei, Aru and many other smaller islands.

The main gateway into Maluku is through the provincial capital Ambon, which is served by regular flights to most parts of the archipelago. Air and sea transportation connect the islands with 79 seaports and 25 airports. Roads on many of the islands provide access to the more remote places of interest.