Ternate is a
tiny volcanic island and
town situated in the
Maluku islands of eastern
Indonesia. It is the biggest
town in the North
Maluku province, and part of the
Indonesian “spice islands”.
The most important geographical location on the island is the volcanic Mount Gamalama. It erupts regularly, often killing residents of the island, or forcing them to temporarily flee Ternate. Ternate provides great volcanic scenery, and has many important locations nearby, including sites of historical importance.
The foundation of Ternate dates back to 1275 A.D., with the arrival of the Muslim sage Sayyid Ja'afar Sadik, although the genealogy is only certain from the time of late sixteenth century Sultan Zainul Abedin. The island, along with neighboring states Jailolo, Tidore and Bacan, used to form a kingdom or realm, with Ternate being the main unit of the conglomerate. In spite of this, there was frequent infighting between Ternate and Tidore.
Ternate was one the world's only source of clove and attracted traders from all over the world. It also therefore invited European invaders. The first were the Portuguese, who built a fortress in 1522 and almost immediately started controlling the politics and administration with fierce brutality. Their ruthlessness finally sparked a revolt in 1574, and a year later they were expelled.
The Dutch arrived on Ternate in 1599, and had a mostly congenial relation with the locals, and promised to provide protection to the island from prying foreign powers, in return of favors.
Important locations on the Ternate island are the Gamalama volcano, the Sultan's palace, a couple of sceninc volcanic lakes, and beaches for sea-loving people. Ternate is still the gateway to the north Maluku province, and an important trade and spice center.
