Maluku Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
archipelago in eastern Indonesia, also called the Spice Islands
About Maluku
The 632 islands of Maluku are sprawled across a vast expanse of ocean, sitting astride one of the world’s most volatilevolcanicbelts. Maluku is blessed with incredible sea gardens, idyllic, tropical beaches and rugged, forest-coated volcanic mountains. In 1511, the Portuguese built their first fort in the area on the island of Ternate, and cornered the clove trade. The Spanish tried to break the monopoly withMagellan's expeditionof 1519, officially namedArmada de Molucca. 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 islands' populations as well as the rival European powers. When the Dutch finally emerged as victors they enforced their trade monopoly with an iron fist. Wh
Maluku Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 13 sections including: