Central Sulawesi, The Province with Rich Potential
Central Sulawesi
Settled on the heart of Sulawesi island, Central Sulawesi become a very rich province in Indonesia for its culture, regarding the 19 ethnic groups that live in that province with 22 languages taken from each ethnics. Nevertheless, Bahasa Indonesia is still the mother tongue to communicate with others. Beside the indigenous that live in Central Sulawesi, there are other immigrants from Bali, Java, East-Nusa Tenggara, West-Nusa Tenggara and other immigrants from Bugis, Makassar and Torajan ethnics.
At early begin, this province was the Government of the Kingdom, which was consists of 15 kingdoms under the leadership of some Kings, and had been known as Seven Kingdoms on the East and Eight Kingdoms on the West.
The capital city of this province is Palu city. Palu is sits on Palu River at the head of a long and narrow bay. This city is consisting of 4 regencies apart, with some of tourism destinations that worth to be visited. Those tourism objects are Dombu village, Lore Lindu national park, Lindu Lake Forest tourism object, Talise beach and some of historical site.
Agriculture is the main source of economic commodity in Central Sulawesi with rice as the main crop. While Coffee, coconut, cacao and cloves is a leading commercial crop of this area and the forest products are coming from rattan, several kinds of wood like Agatis, Ebony and Meranti.
Sulawesi is a unique border zone in the Asia Oceania region, where the flora and fauna are very different from the Flora and Fauna that commonly lives in Asia. This particular flora and fauna called as Wallacea for this theory was founded by Wallace, a British researcher who helped discover the theory of evolution with Darwin.
Looking at the tourism object, there are numbers of destination in this province that popular as the most visited object and having important values in history of the past. Those are:
TOGIAN ISLANDS
It, located in Poso regency, these numerous offshore islands with white-sandy beaches and spectacular underwater views, are perfect for snorkeling, diving or just relaxing on the beach watching the sunset.
Getting There : From Poso it is a 3.5 hours drive to Ampana following a 5 hour boat ride to Wakai.
Facilities include cottages and restaurants for your maximum comfort
MEGALITHS
The famous megaliths stones nestled in Napu, Besoa and Bada valleys in Central Sulawesi are among the world's unsolved puzzles. They are covered with unique and mysterious carvings. Some of the better known megaliths are Pokoke, Suso, Pekaselle, Tadaluko, and Watu Palindo being the biggest of them all (4.5 m high) Getting There : These valleys can be reached by bus from Palu, the capital city of Central Sulawesi, then a moderate hike through magnificent forest to the village.
LORE LINDU NATIONAL PARK
This national park is a 229,000 hectare tropical rainforest in Central Sulawesi; providing a natural habitat for many species of flora and fauna such as palm trees, agatish, anoa, deer hog, monkeys and tarsisius.
Getting there : - a 60 km drive from Palu to Kamarora. - a 63 km drive from Palu to Sidaunta and a 17 km hike further to Lake Lindu. - a 100 km drive from Palu to Gimpu and a moderate hike further to Bada valley.
Facilities available : guest house, home stay and food stall.
LAKE POSO
This lake is located in Poso regency, stretching 32.3 km long and 16 km wide. The lake is surrounded by a magnificent forest view with crystal clear water for swimming and provides a perfect setting for outdoor lovers of all ages. The situated around the lake are several attractions namely : Bancea Orchid Garden, Saluopa Waterfall, Sulewana Waterfall, Pamona and Latea Caves and also the lake Poso Festival Ground. Lake Poso is accessible by car about 1.5 hours drive from Poso or a 7 hour drive from Palu Facilities available : hotel, cottage and restaurant.
