Selayar Islands

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Selayar or Saleyer (Indonesian: Kabupaten Selayar, Dutch: Saleijer), an archipelago, part of Sulawesi Selatan (South Celebes) Province, Indonesia. It lies in the Flores Sea, between Sulawesi and Flores. Kabupaten Selayar is the Selayar Regency, covering 903,35 km² with a population of about 100,000. There are 73 islands, the principal being Selayar Island. To the east lies Pulau (Island) Kalaotoa and Pulau Karompa Lompo in Sulawesi Tenggara, and the West Kepulauan Sabalana (Sabalana Islands). It is a biodiverse diving site.

[edit] Islands

Selayar Island, main island of group, 248 sq mi.
South of Selayar is Pulasi and Pulau (Island) Tambalongang
South of Pulasi is Pulau Tanahjampea (Tana Jampea) with towns Ujung, Labuhanmarege and tiny Pulau Batu
East of Pulasi is Pulau Kayuadi (Kayu Adi) and Pulau Panjang
East of Kayuadi is Macan Islands (Kepulauan Macan), consists of Takabonerate Islands (many atolls). Islands Latondu, Rajuni, Timabo, Pasi Telu, and Taka Lumungan.
Pulau Kalao with town Boneogeh
South of Kalao is Pulau Bonerate
Bahuluwang and other islands

Selayar Straits (Selat Selayar) is more than 100 fathoms deep and, running in a strong current, is dangerous for native ships to navigate. The strata of Selayar island are all sedimentary rocks: coraffine limestone, occasionally sandstone; everywhere, except in the north and north-west, covered by a fertile soil. The watershed is a chain running throughout the island from N. to S., reaching in Bontona Haru 5840 ft., sloping steeply to the east coast.

[edit] People

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The population, mainly a mixed race of Makasars (see Makasar), Buginese, the natives of Luvu and Buton, is estimated at 57,000 on the main island and 24,000 on the dependent isles. They use the Macassar language, are for the most part nominally Mahommedans (though many heathen customs survive), and support themselves by agriculture, fishing, seafaring, trade, the preparation of salt (on the south coast) and weaving. Field work is largely performed by a servile class. Raw and prepared cotton, tobacco, trepang, tortoise-shell, coconuts and coconut oil, and salt are exported. There are frequent emigrations to Sulawesi and other parts of the archipelago. For that reason, and also on account of its excellent horses and numerous water buffaloes, Saleyer is often compared with Madura, being of the same importance to Celebes as is Madura to Java.

[edit] Diving

There are white tipped, blacktipped and grey sharks (at depths of 40m plus) and beautiful coral cover with gorgonians, soft corals, huge sponges and colorful reef fishes in the shallower parts.

Dive sites in the neighboring islands:

Takahaji Atoll (Tambolongang, Pulasi): 1 1/2 to 3 hours, pelagic fishes, dolphins, sometimes whales.
Takabonerate Islands (Telaga Bone Rate) Atoll (Indonesian National Marine Park) : 3 to 4 hours, pelagic fishes, dolphins, turtles, many soft corals, sea fans.
Tanahjampea Atoll: 3 to 4 hours, many small islands on this atoll, pelagic fishes, dolphins, turtles, many soft corals.

Please see Selayar Island for dive sites immediately surrounding it.