'Seram' (formerly 'Ceram', also called Seran or Serang) is an
island in the
Maluku province of
Indonesia. It is located north of
Ambon Island. The chief port/town is
Masohi.
Geography
Seram is traversed by a central
mountain range, the highest point of which is covered with dense
rain forests.
Copra,
resin,
sago, and
fish are important products.
Oil is exploited in the northeast near
Bula by KUFPEC (Indonesia) Limited.
History
In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Seram was generally within the sphere of influence of
Ternate, although it was often ruled more directly by the Ternaten vassal state of
Buru.
Portuguese missionaries were active there in the 16th century.
Dutch trading posts were opened in the early 17th century, and the island came under nominal Dutch control c. 1650. In the 1780s, Seram provided a key base of support for Prince
Nuku of
Tidore's long-running rebellion against Dutch rule.
Religion
Traditionally, most of the people here have been either of the
Animist,
Muslim or
Christian faith. Violent inter-religious conflict swept the Maluku province and other parts of Indonesia starting in late 1998, resulting in tens of thousands of displaced persons in
Ambon and surrounding islands such as Seram.
[1]
See also
★
Islands of Indonesia
External links
★
Seacology Seram Island Health Clinic Project Seacology
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