Seram

Infobox Islands
name = Seram Island

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location = South East Asia
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archipelago = Molucca Islands
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area = 17,100 km² (6,600 mi²)
rank = 52nd
highest mount = Binaiya
elevation = 3,019 m (9,905 ft)
country = Indonesia
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Seram (formerly Ceram, also called Seran or Serang) is an island in the Maluku province of Indonesia. It is located north of Ambon Island. The chief port/town is Masohi.

Geography

Seram is traversed by a central mountain range, the highest point of which is covered with dense rain forests. Copra, resin, sago, and fish are important products. Oil is exploited in the northeast near Bula by KUFPEC (Indonesia) Limited.

History

In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Seram was generally within the sphere of influence of Ternate, although it was often ruled more directly by the Ternaten vassal state of Buru. Portuguese missionaries were active there in the 16th century. Dutch trading posts were opened in the early 17th century, and the island came under nominal Dutch control c. 1650. In the 1780s, Seram provided a key base of support for Prince Nuku of Tidore's long-running rebellion against Dutch rule.

Religion

Traditionally, most of the people here have been either of the Animist, Muslim or Christian faith. Violent inter-religious conflict swept the Maluku province and other parts of Indonesia starting in late 1998, resulting in tens of thousands of displaced persons in Ambon and surrounding islands such as Seram. [http://www.hrw.org/reports/1999/ambon/amron-01.htm]

See also

* Islands of Indonesia
* Wemale
* Alune

External links

* [http://www.seacology.org/projects/individualprojects/INDON_seram2004.htm Seacology Seram Island Health Clinic Project] Seacology