Makassar, a port city, is situated on the Sulawesi island, facing the Makassar strait. It is the provincial capital of south Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the largest city in the Sulawesi island.
In the beginning of the sixteenth century, Makassar used to be the mainstay of trading in east Indonesia. The kings stringently maintained a policy of free trade, thereby enabling any visitor to do business in the city. This also thwarted the attempts of the Dutch to establish monopoly on the city. Makassar emerged as one of the most important trading centers of the area.
With the increase in the Dutch influence over the region, the importance of Makassar declined, and ultimately it was taken over in 1667. Later, it became a free port in 1848.
People of Makassar have their own language and script. Makassarese has its own distinctive script called Lontara, which consists of mainly straight oblique lines and dots.
Currently, Makassar is the primary port of southern Sulawesi. It has regular domestic and international shipping connections. It still uses the some of the last of the pinisi boats ( sailing ships for long distance trade) and is famous for their use.
Makassarese ebony has a warm black hue with red streaks, and is a highly prized wood.
Makassar also has a major fishing industry. Fishing of the Trepang or the sea cucumber is its mainstay. Fishing boats from Makassar have regularly visited the coast of north Australia since a very long time to fish for Trepang, and traits of the Makassarese can be found in the people of norther Australia.
