Celebes

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

one of the larger islands of the Indian Archipelago, between Borneo on the W. and the Moluccas on the E. It consists mainly of four large peninsulas stretching to the E. and S., and separated by three deep gulfs; total area, 72,070 square miles. No part of it is more than 70 miles from the sea. Celebes is mountainous chiefly in the center and the N., where there are several active volcanoes. It has also broad grassy plains and extensive forests. Gold is found in all the valleys of the N. peninsula, which abounds in sulphur. Copper occurs at various points, and in Macassar tin also. Diamonds and other precious stones are found. The island is entirely destitute of feline or canine animals, insectivora, the elephant, rhinoceros, and tapir (though these are found in Borneo), but it has the antelopean buffalo (Anoa), the spiral-tusked pig (Babyroussa), etc. Among domesticated animals are small but vigorous horses, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and pigs. Trepang and turtle are caught in abundance. Marsupial animals are represented by the cuscus, an opossum-like animal with a prehensile tail. Among the trees are the oak, teak, cedar, upas, bamboo, etc. Among cultivated plants are the coffee-tree, indigo, cacao, sugarcane, manioc root, tobacco, etc. The maritime districts are inhabited by Malays; the Peninsula of Macassar is occupied by Bugis and Macassars. Mandhars dwell in the W. of the island, and the mountainous regions in the interior, especially in the N., are inhabited by Alfoories. The inhabitants may be classed into two groups: the Mohammedan semi-civilized tribes, and the pagans, who are more or less savage. The capital is Macassar, in the S. W. of the island (pop. about 30,000). The trade in trepang is very important, Macassar being the chief staple place for this article of commerce. The three great languages of the island, not reckoning the dialects of the savage tribes, are those of the Bugis, the Macassars, and the Mandhars. The ancient Bugi is the language of science and religion. The Bugis have a considerable body of literature. Celebes was first visited by the Portuguese in 1512, but no factory was established by them there till a few years later. In 1660 Macassar was taken by the Dutch, the southern por tion of the and the Portuguese expelled. In 1683 island put under Dutch rule, the northern part likewise fell into their hands. The island was conquered by the British in 1811, but a few years later it was again given up to the Dutch in whose possession it has remained ever , since. Pop. about 3,100,000.