The Lesser Sunda Islands

Nusa Tenggara is a chain of islands stretching from Lombok to East Timor. Its name means « Southeast Islands » in Old Javanese, more commonly known as the « Lesser Sunda Islands ».

This archipelago is generally divided into two provinces: West Nusa Tenggara, encompassing Lombok and Sumbawa, and East Nusa Tenggara, comprising the islands of Sumba, Flores, West Timor and neighbouring islands.

These are the least wealthy islands in Indonésie as they contain very few natural resources. Once, Europeans exploited sandalwood here, but this resource is now depleted. The populations live from fishing, agriculture and tourism. Like the rest of the Indonesian archipelago, there is great religious diversity, with Muslim, Christian, Hindu and animist inhabitants.

Lombok and Sumbawa

Lombok is among the most well-known islands. Close to Bali, it is home to numerous ethnic and cultural groups such as the Sasak, one of the most important. Javanese, Balinese, Chinese and Arab communities also coexist here. Mataram is the most important city on Lombok and is also the capital of West Nusa Tenggara. Like Bali, visitors greatly appreciate the beauty of its tropical beaches and its many temples. However, Lombok is a far quieter and more peaceful place than its Balinese neighbour. Surrounding it are the Gili Islands (Air, Meno and Trawangan), a true paradise for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts.

Sumbawa is an island larger than Bali and Lombok combined. The majority of the population is Muslim and still lives in accordance with its ancestral traditions. A gold mine has recently been discovered on the island which, according to estimates, would be the second largest after Freeport, in Papua. In recent years, there has been strong renewed economic interest in Sumbawa.

Komodo and Rinca Islands

Between the Sumbawa Strait and that of Flores lie the Komodo and Rinca Islands. The first is home to the Komodo National Park, where you can observe the famous Komodo dragons. The island, very sparsely populated, features a mountain range, ideal for hiking. Moreover, the diving sites around Komodo are among the most beautiful in Indonésie. Rinca Island is quieter than the first as it attracts fewer tourists. It is generally visited to observe the local fauna and flora: herds of horses and buffalo roam freely across the plains, offering a striking spectacle.

Flores and Other Nusa Tenggara Islands

Flores Island, situated beyond Komodo and Rinca, is home to a predominantly Christian population. Named by the Portuguese in tribute to the beauty of its landscapes, it is notably known for its traditional small villages and for Gunung Kelimutu, the crater with three lakes of different colours.

In the Solor and Alor archipelagos, certain villages such as Lamalera, practise traditional whale hunting. Sumba Island is one of the rare islands to remain apart from mass tourism. It is renowned for its famous full moon celebrations held in February and March and for its magnificent ikats. Tourists rarely visit the islands of Roti, Savu and Timor. Composed of plains and white sand beaches, their landscapes are nevertheless of great beauty. The town of Kupang on Timor is the capital of East Nusa Tenggara. It is worth stocking up here before visiting the other islands in the province.

As one might imagine of Indonésie, all these islands thus possess a different culture and charm all their own, making them all the more interesting to explore and discover.