The 'Tanimbar Islands', also called '''Timor Laut''', are a group of about 30
islands in the
Maluku province of
Indonesia.
Geography
The
Aru Islands and
Kai Islands lie to the northeast, and
Babar Island and
Timor lie to the west. The islands separate the
Banda Sea and the
Arafura Sea. The total land area of the Islands is 5440 km² (2100 sq mi).
The largest of the group is
Yamdena. Yamdena Island has a range of thickly forested hills along its eastern coast, while its western coast is lower.
Saumlaki is the chief town, located on the south end of Yamdena. Other islands include
Larat,
Selaru, and
Wuliaru.
The population is approximately 61,000, of whom 44,000 are Christian, and 17,000 Muslim and unknown.
[1]
The tiny island of Tanimbarkei is part not part of Tanimbar, but of the
Kai Islands and inhabited by less than 1000 very traditional people.
Economy
Important products are
copra, tortoiseshell, and ''trepang'' (an edible
sea cucumber).
See also
★
Islands of Indonesia