Nusa Tenggara (the Greater and Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia), or the "Southeastern Islands" in Old Javanese, are located east of Bali. They form a unique chain of several sparsely populated island landmasses that are closely adjacent to one another. During Dutch rule, this island group had several names—"Lesser," "Eastern," and "Sunda." During that period, Bali was also part of this group, but it was only in 1951 that it gained status as an independent province of the Republic of Indonesia. The remaining islands were divided into two separate groups and became known as West Nusa Tenggara (Lombok, Sumbawa) and East Nusa Tenggara (Sumba, Flores, Timor, and others).
The Greater Sunda Islands (Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi) are washed by the waters of the Java Sea and add to their territory due to alluvial deposits.
The East Sunda Islands appear to be exposed above the seabed, and the spaces between them are filled with small islands with narrow plains on a steep coastline and high mountains. Between them, the waters of the straits and the sea, which are very deep, constantly "circulate."
Nusa Tenggara is a unique transition zone, home to both Australian and Eurasian fauna. The entire island is considered the least fertile in Indonesia, although agriculture is the main source of income for the local population.
Some of the most popular islands in Nusa Tenggara for tourists include:
- Lombok (Ampenan, Mataram, Chakra Negara) is an island of colorful contrasts, multilingual population, Hindu rituals, Muslim ceremonies, tropical forests, arid plains;
- Ampenan – a former major port and center of overseas trade. Today, it attracts foreign tourists with the pristine beauty of the Lombok Strait, a natural stone arch, the impressive Watu Bolong temple, coconut groves, a multitude of colorful festivals, coconut groves, and the unique Senggigi beach.
- Mataram — the administrative center of the province, where banks and the entire spectrum of typical regional infrastructure operate;
- Chakranegara – the former royal capital and modern center of Lombok's market trade. Divided by the Ancar River, it is a popular destination for travelers, boasting Lombok-style Balinese architecture, the royal palace and garden of Puri Mayura, the Jewish temple of Pura Meru, Mount Rinjani (a volcanic cone rising 3800 meters with a crater lake in its center), and the seventeen-meter-high Otakokok waterfall with its healing waters.
- Sumbawa (Three districts – Bima (east), Sumbawa (west), and Dompu (central part). It has a population of 800000, mostly Muslim. Tourists will enjoy unforgettable experiences with a tour of the Sultan's Palace, featuring a unique collection of royal crowns and precious kris daggers. Equally interesting is a visit to another sultan's residence in Sumbawa Besar, built on wooden stilts.
