West Sulawesi


West Sulawesi is a province of Indonesia. It is located in the western of the Sulawesi island. It covers an area of 16,937.16 km2, and its capital is Mamuju. The 2010 Census recorded a population of 1,158,651, while that in 2015 recorded 1,279,994; the latest official estimate is 1,536,115.
The province was established in 2004, having been split off from South Sulawesi.

Geography

It is on the island of Sulawesi and includes the regencies of Polewali Mandar, Mamasa, Majene, Mamuju, Central Mamuju and Pasangkayu, which used to be part of South Sulawesi. The area of the province is 16,937.16 km2.

Economy

Its economy consists mainly of mining, agriculture and fishing. Its capital is Mamuju.

Archaeological findings

In 11 December 2019, a team of researchers led by Dr. Maxime Aubert announced the discovery of the oldest hunting scenes in prehistoric art in the world which is more than 44,000 years old from the limestone cave of Leang Bulu’ Sipong 4. Archaeologists determined the age of the depiction of hunting a pig and buffalo thanks to the calcite ‘popcorn’, different isotope levels of radioactive uranium and thorium.

Administrative divisions

West Sulawesi Province is divided into six regencies. The sixth regency - Central Mamuju Regency - was cut out of the existing Mamuju Regency on 14 December 2012.

Demographics

Its population at the 2010 census was 1,158,651 increasing at 2.67% annually. Of those 171,356 are classified as below the poverty line of Indonesia.

Religion