North Sulawesi

North Sulawesi (Indonesian: Sulawesi Utara) is a province of Indonesia. It is on the island of Sulawesi, and borders the province of Gorontalo to the west (originally a part of North Sulawesi until 2001 when it became its own province). The islands of Sangihe and Talaud form the northern part of the province, which border the Philippines.

The capital and largest city in North Sulawesi is Manado. With a population of about 2 million (As of 2006[update][1]), the region is predominantly Christian (70%) with Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist minorities, which is an exception in this predominantly Muslim country. The largest ethnic group is Minahasan.

North Sulawesi is divided into nine regencies (Indonesian: kabupaten) and four cities (Indonesian: kotamadya).

Regencies (seat):

Bolaang Mongondow (Kotamobagu)
Minahasa (Tondano)
North Bolaang Mongondow (Boroko)
North Minahasa (Airmadidi)
Sangihe Islands (Tahuna)
Sitaro Islands (Ondong)
South Minahasa (Amurang)
Southeast Minahasa (Ratahan)
Talaud Islands (Melonguane)

Cities:

Bitung
Kotamobagu
Manado
Tomohon

First contact with European traders came in the 16th century with the arrival of the Spanish and Portuguese, and with them they brought Christianity. It wasn't until the arrival of the Dutch that Christianity became the predominant religion of the area. The provincial capital of Manado is one of the international gateways into Indonesia.

Regular flights to all parts of the Indonesia archipelago service this beautiful town, as well as the smaller airports of Gorontalo, Tahuna and Talaud.