North Halmahera Regency
| North Halmahera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Regency | ||
 |
||
|
||
 North Halmahera
|
||
| Coordinates: 1°43′55″N 128°0′28″E / 1.73194°N 128.00778°ECoordinates: 1°43′55″N 128°0′28″E / 1.73194°N 128.00778°E | ||
| Country |
 Indonesia
|
|
| Province | North Maluku | |
| Island | Halmahera | |
| Capital | Tobelo | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4,951.61 km2 (1,911.83 sq mi) | |
| Population (2010) | ||
| • Total | 161,580 | |
| • Density | 33/km2 (85/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | WIT (UTC+9) | |
| Website | http://www.halutkab.go.id/ | |
North Halmahera Regency or Halmahera Utara is a regency (on Halmahera Island) of North Maluku Province, Indonesia. It was declared a Regency on 31 May 2003. The capital town of the regency lies at the port of Tobelo. The Regency, which has been considerably reduced by the separation of Tidore and (more recently) of Morotai Island, now covers an area of 4,951.61 square kilometres (1,911.83 sq mi) and as of 2010 had a population of 161,580 people. The principal settlements are Tobelo, Kao and Galela. The area is noted for its white beaches and coral reefs.
Apart from the importance of its 115 islands (19 have remained unnamed) for spices, North Hamahera was the World War II base camp. The Japanese and the American allies fought for its control. From the island of Morotai, Americans headed by the General of the Army Douglas MacArthur prepared for an attack on the Philippines.
Halmahera and its small islands are located in the Coral Triangle, which has rich marine life. Marine biodiversity data on reef fishes was collected during a rapid survey conducted at 28 locations in 2005 in the south-western part of Halmahera. Explorer Gerry Allen, during his diving surveys in 2005, recorded 803 species of reef fishes.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the area was generally within the sphere of influence of the powerful sultanate on the island of Ternate. A larger region, called Moro, included the island of Morotai and parts of the North Halmahera coastline.
The Portuguese were a formidable presence in the area and they built a number of fortifications and controlled the island Ternate, off the southwest coast of the North Halmahera Regency. In the mid-16th century, a Portuguese Jesuit mission visited Hakmahera and Morotai. This created conflict with Muslims who at the time controlled Ternate and Halmahera and in 1571, they drove the Christians from Morotai.
...
Wikipedia