North Sulawesi 5.39

North Sulawesi is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the northern peninsula of the island of Sulawesi, on the Minahasa Peninsula, lies south of Philippines and southeast of Malaysia. It borders Philippines to the north, the Maluku Sea to the east, Gorontalo to the west and the Gulf of Tomini to the south. The province's capital and largest city is Manado, and its population was 4,135,526 according to the 2010 census; the latest official estimate is 4,353,540. Manado is also the main gateway and the economic center of the province. Other major towns includes Tomohon and Bitung. As of the 2016 census of Indonesia, North Sulawesi's total population is 2.771.159. There are 41 mountains with an altitude ranging from 1,112 - 1,995 asl. Most geologic conditions are the young volcanic region, a large number of eruptions and the active cone shape of the active volcanoes that adorn the central Minahasa, Bolaang Mongondow and Sangihe Islands.North Sulawesi in the past was an area of potential spices, rice and gold which became a battleground for the interests of economic hegemony between the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and the Kingdoms around this area, which ultimately led to political and military struggles. The past of this region also became the trading route between west and east and the spread of Christianity, Islam and belief or religion brought by Chinese merchants. The Portuguese first landed on the area at the 16th century. Following decades of war between the Portuguese, the Spanish and the Dutch to control the area, the area ultimately fell to the Dutch at the 17th century. The Dutch ruled the area for three centuries, before being ousted by the Japanese on the eve of World War II. Following the Japanese surrender in 1945, the Dutch briefly regained possession of the area, before finally leaving for good in 1949, following the Round Table Conference, in which the Dutch recognized the newly-created United States of Indonesia . Thus, North Sulawesi is incorporated into the territory of the State of East Indonesia . Because it is not in accordance with the will of the people, NIT is finally dissolved and then merged into the Republic of Indonesia. On August 17, 1950, the RIS is officially disbanded and then re-formed as the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. The island of Sulawesi is briefly governed by one province, before being separated into several different provinces. Thus, the province of North Sulawesi was created on 14 August 1959.