Lombok is an island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. It is part of the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, with the Lombok Strait separating it from Bali to the west and the Alas Strait between it and Sumbawa to the east. It is roughly circular, with a "tail" to the southwest, about 70 km across and a total area of about 4,725 km² (1,825 sq mi). The provincial capital and largest city on the island is Mataram.

History

From the seventeenth century onwards, Lombok lived under Balinese influence, after the Balinese had helped the Sasak aristocracy defeat invaders from Sumbawa, to the, east. Fighting among the rajas of the four Lombok principalities - Pagasangan, Pagutan, Mataram and Cakranegara - had weakened the hold of the Sasak rulers. In 1830, Ratu Agung acceded to the throne of Mataram, and over the next thirteen years brought the whole of Lombok under his rule. In 1849, he also gained control of Karangasem in east Bali in return for supplying his subjects to the Dutch as troops for their campaigns in Bali. His brother, Ratu Agung Ngurah, succeeded him in 1872, and, seeking to serve his own ambitions in Bali, pushed the demand for troops too far. The residents of Praya rebelled in 1891, and unrest quickly spread. The Dutch intervened and eventually invaded Lombok in 1894, bringing the entire island under colonial rule until Indonesian independence.

Geography and demographics

The Lombok Strait marks the passage of the biogeographical division between the fauna of the Indomalayan ecozone and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia that is known as the Wallace Line, for Alfred Russel Wallace, who first remarked upon the distinction between these two major biomes.

The island's topography is dominated by the centrally-located stratovolcano Mount Rinjani, which rises to 3,726 m (12,224 ft), making it the third-highest in Indonesia. The most recent eruption of Rinjani was in May-June, 2009, which was a small oozing eruption of 'Gunung Baru' (New Mountain). The volcano, and its crater lake, 'Segara Anak' (child of the sea), are protected by a National Park established in 1997. The southern part of the island is a fertile plain where corn, rice, coffee, tobacco, and cotton are grown.

The island's inhabitants are 85% Sasak whose origins are thought to have migrated from Java in the first millennium BC. Other residents include 10-15% Balinese, with the small remainder being Chinese, Arab, Javanese, and Sumbawanese. Since the Sasak population typically practice Islam, the landscape is punctuated with mosques and minarets. Islamic traditions and holidays influence the Island's daily activities.

Economy and politics

Lombok is not Bali, and that is precisely its charm. Lombok has retained a more natural, uncrowded and undeveloped environment, which attract travelers who come to enjoy its relaxed pace and the opportunity to explore the island's natural beauty. Lombok differs considerably in almost every respect: physically, culturally, linguistically and historically.

The most-developed center of tourism is Senggigi, spread in a 30-kilometer strip along the coastal road north of Mataram, while backpackers congregate in the Gili Islands off the west coast. Other popular tourist destinations include Kuta (distinctly different from Kuta, Bali) where surfing is considered some of the best in the world by leading surfing magazines. The Kuta area is also famous for its beautiful, untouched beaches.

While the area may be considered economically depressed by First World standards, the island is fertile, has sufficient rainfall in most areas for agriculture, and posseses a variety of climate zones. Consequently, food in abundant quantity and variety is available inexpensively at local farmer's markets. A family of 4 can eat rice, vegetables, and fruit for as little as US$0.50. Even though a family income may be as small as US$1.00 per day from fishing or farming, many families are able to live a happy and productive live on astonishingly small incomes.

Tourism

The Islamic culture in Lombok compared to the Hindu Bali culture may also explain why Lombok is less popular than Bali in terms of shopping, cuisine, nightlife, and a multiplicity of accommodations. Conversely, Lombok offers visitors a chance to see traditional cultures (such as local markets, traditional villages, and numerous traditional celebrations). Lombok is also becoming increasingly popular with tourist and honeymooners who want to relax in an inexpensive, tropical, uncrowded atmosphere, with many "hidden beaches" and majestic scenery. Nothing happens quickly in Lombok and visitors who are stressed from their daily lives back home find Lombok a delightful getaway.