Southeast Sulawesi (, ; often abbreviated to Sultra, ), is a

province A province is an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire, Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...

on the island of

Sulawesi Sulawesi ( ), also known as Celebes ( ), is an island in Indonesia. One of the four Greater Sunda Islands, and the List of islands by area, world's 11th-largest island, it is situated east of Borneo, west of the Maluku Islands, and south of Min ...

, forming the southeastern peninsula of that island, together with a number of substantial offshore islands such as

Buton Buton (also Butung, Boeton or Button) is an island in Indonesia located off the southeast peninsula of Sulawesi. It covers roughly 4,727 square kilometers in area, or about the size of Madura; it is the 129th List of islands by area, largest is ...

, Muna,

Kabaena Kabaena or Tokotua is an island in the Flores Sea, Indonesia, off the coast of Sulawesi Sulawesi ( ), also known as Celebes ( ), is an island in Indonesia. One of the four Greater Sunda Islands, and the List of islands by area, world's 11th ...

and Wawonii (formerly called Wowoni), together with many smaller islands. It is bordered by

South Sulawesi South Sulawesi () is a Provinces of Indonesia, province in the South Peninsula, Sulawesi, southern peninsula of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Selayar Islands archipelago to the south of Sulawesi is also part of the province. The capital and largest ci ...

and

Central Sulawesi Central Sulawesi (Indonesian language, Indonesian: ''Sulawesi Tengah'') is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia located at the centre of the island of Sulawesi. The administrative capital and largest city is located in Palu. The provin ...

to the north, sharing a maritime border with

Maluku Maluku may refer to: Places * Maluku Islands, an archipelago that is part of Indonesia ** List of the Maluku Islands * Maluku (province), a province of Indonesia comprising the central and southern parts of the archipelago * North Maluku, a provin ...

and

North Maluku North Maluku (; ) is a province of Indonesia. It covers the northern part of the Maluku Islands, bordering the Pacific Ocean to the north, the Halmahera Sea to the east, the Molucca Sea to the west, and the Seram Sea to the south. It shares marit ...

to the east and

East Nusa Tenggara East Nusa Tenggara (; ) is the southernmost province of Indonesia. It comprises the eastern portion of the Lesser Sunda Islands, facing the Indian Ocean in the south and the Flores Sea in the north, with a total land area of 47,238.07 km2. It cons ...

to the south, as well a very narrow maritime border with

East Timor Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the coastal exclave of Oecusse in the island's northwest, and ...

to the south. The capital is the city of

Kendari Kendari is the capital city of the Indonesian province of Southeast Sulawesi. It had a population of 289,966 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 345,107 at the 2020 census,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. making it the ...

, on the east coast of the peninsula. The province has no highway road connecting to the rest of the island, and the primary transportation link is a ferry across the

Bone Gulf __NOTOC__ The Gulf of Boni (), also known as the Gulf of Bone, Bay of Boni, and Bone Bay, is the gulf which divides the South and Southeast Peninsulas of the island of Sulawesi (Celebes) in Indonesia. It opens on the south into the Banda Sea. E ...

between

Watampone Watampone is a town in South Sulawesi province of Indonesia and the capital of Bone Regency. Known colloquially as ''Bone'', it has a land area of 126.35 km2 and had a population of 149,336 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. t ...

(Bone) in

and the port of

Kolaka Kolaka Regency (''Kabupaten Kolaka'') is a regency of Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. It covers an area of and had a population of 208,817 at the 2010 Census,Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. rising to 237,587 at the 2020 Census;Badan ...

in Southeast Sulawesi.

History

From the seventeenth century until the early twentieth century, the region was the site of the (Butung).

Geography

The two major mountain ranges in Southeast Sulawesi are the Tanggeasinua Range and the Mekongga Range. The major rivers are the Lalinda, the Lasolo, and the Sampara.

Demographics

The population of the province was 2,232,586 at the 2010 decennial census (1,120,225 males, and 1,110,344 females),Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. increasing to 2,624,875 at the 2020 Census.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. The official estimate as at mid 2024 was 2,793,070.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.74) Konawe Selatan, Konawe,

and Muna are the four most populous regencies. A third of the population is centered on

and Muna islands off the south coast of Sulawesi, and another 15% live in and around Kendari.

Religion

Islam is the predominant religion (96.2%). According to the 2021 estimates, 2,560,000 people were

Muslims Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...

, 50,780 were Hindus, 44,870 were Protestants, 16,180 were Roman Catholics, 1,610 were Buddhists, 113 were Confusians and 63 adhered to

Folk religion Folk religion, traditional religion, or vernacular religion comprises, according to religious studies and folkloristics, various forms and expressions of religion that are distinct from the official doctrines and practices of organized religion. ...

s.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2022.

Ethnic groups

The ethnic groups in Southeast Sulawesi are

(Wolio, Lasalimu, Kumbewaha, Cia-cia), Muna (Busoa, Kaimbulawa, Liabuku, Pancana, Kioko), Wakatobi (Tukangbesi, Bonerate),

Tolaki Tolaki (To'olaki) is the major language of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is an Austronesian language The Austronesian languages ( ) are a language family widely spoken throughout Maritime Southeast Asia, parts of Mainland Southeast Asia, ...

, Culambacu, Kalisusu (Taloki, Koroni), Moronene, Wawonii, and others.

Government and administrative divisions

Southeast Sulawesi Province is divided into fifteen regencies (including the five new regencies established in 2013 and 2014) and two autonomous

cities A city is a human settlement of a substantial size. The term "city" has different meanings around the world and in some places the settlement can be very small. Even where the term is limited to larger settlements, there is no universally agree ...

. As at 1995, there were just four regencies within the province -

, Konawe and Muna. On 3 August, the city of

was created from part of Konawe Regency, and on 21 June 2001 the city of

Bau-Bau Baubau is a city in Southeast Sulawesi province, Indonesia. The city is located on the southwest coast of Buton island. Baubau attained city status on 21 June 2001 after Law Number 13 of 2001 was passed. It covers an area of , of which about i ...

was created from part of Buton Regency. On 25 February 2003,

South Konawe Regency South Konawe Regency (''Kabupaten Konawe Selatan'') is a regency of Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The regency was created on 25 February 2003 from what had been the southern districts of Konawe Regency. It covers an area of 4,237.74 km2 ...

was created from part of Konawe Regency. On 18 December 2003, three new regencies were created -

Bombana Regency Bombana Regency (''Kabupaten Bombana'') is a regency of Southeast Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. It consists of part of the southeast peninsula of Sulawesi, together with most of the substantial offshore island of Kabaena to the south. The regenc ...

and Wakatobi Regency from parts of Buton Regency, and

North Kolaka Regency North Kolaka Regency is a regency in the northwest part of Southeast Sulawesi province of Indonesia. It was created on 18 December 2003 from the former northern districts of Kolaka Regency. It covers an area of 2,932 km2,This is the figure r ...

from part of Kolaka Regency. On 2 January 2007, two new regencies were created -

North Konawe Regency North Konawe Regency (''Kabupaten Konawe Utara'') is a regency of Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. It was formed on 2 January 2007 by splitting off seven of the northern districts of Konawe Regency to form a new North Konawe Regency (''Kabu ...

from part of Konawe Regency, and North Buton Regency from part of Muna Regency. In 2013 the Indonesian Government enacted the creation of 11 new Regencies and Municipalities, including the following in Southeast Sulawesi: *

Konawe Islands Regency Konawe Islands Regency is an insular regency in the province of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, established on 15 May 2013 from that former insular part of Konawe Regency which consisted of the seven districts comprising Wawonii Island (together wi ...

, from part of Konawe Regency (enacted by Act No.8 of 2013, on 11 January 2013). *

East Kolaka Regency The East Kolaka Regency is a new and the only landlocked regency of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, established on 11 January 2013 from the former eastern nine districts of the Kolaka Regency. The administrative centre lies at Tirawuta; its curren ...

, from part of Konawe Regency (enacted by Act No.11 of 2013, on 11 May 2013). Subsequently, on 24 June 2014, the Indonesian Parliament agreed to create three more new regencies, based on consideration of technical, administrative, area, strategic and geopolitic factors: *

South Buton Regency South Buton Regency () is a regency located on Buton Island in Southeast Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. This regency was formed from the southern part of Buton Regency, from which it was separated by Act No.16 of 2014, dated 23 July 2014. It cov ...

, from part of Buton Regency (enacted by Act No.16 of 2014, on 23 July 2014). *

Central Buton Regency Central Buton Regency () is a new regency of Southeast Sulawesi established by separation from Buton Regency under Act No.15 of 2014, dated 23 July 2014. It covers an area of 837.16 km2 comprising the southern parts of Muna Island and Kabaena ...

, from part of Buton Regency (enacted by Act No.16 of 2014, on 23 July 2014). *

West Muna Regency West Muna Regency () is a regency of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. It comprises the northwest portion of Muna Island and islands in the Straits of Tiworo. It was established under Act No.14 of 2014, dated 23 July 2014 by separation from the M ...

, from part of Muna Regency (enacted by Act No.16 of 2014, on 23 July 2014). These regencies and cities are tabulated below, with their areas and their populations at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and the 2020 Census,Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. together with the official estimates as at mid 2024Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, ''Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara Dalam Angka 2025'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.74) The table also includes the location of the regency/city headquarters and their Human Development Index. Notes (a) Bombana Regency is mainly peninsula (the areas around Poleang and Rumbia on Sulawesi Island) but partly insular (including most of

Island).
(b) The Central Buton Regency comprises the southern part of

Muna Island Muna (Pulau Muna) is an island in the Southeast Sulawesi province of Indonesia with an area of and had a population of 316,293 at the 2010 Census and 368,654 at the 2020 Census.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. It is just southeast of the i ...

and a small southern part of

Island, but does not include any part of

Buton Island Buton (also Butung, Boeton or Button) is an island in Indonesia located off the southeast peninsula of Sulawesi. It covers roughly 4,727 square kilometers in area, or about the size of Madura; it is the 129th List of islands by area, largest is ...

.
(c) Under discussion by the Indonesian government in 2013 was a proposal to create an additional municipality of

Raha Raha may refer to: * Raha Assembly constituency of Assam, India *Raha, Assam, a village in India * Raha, Muna, capital of Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia * Raha, Nepal, a village in Dolpa district *Rāḥa (), a common Arabic name for ...

, on Muna Island, but any such proposal is in abeyance and this potential extra municipality is not separated in the table above.
(d) The Konawe Islands Regency comprises

Wawonii Island Wawonii (formerly called Wowoni) is an island in the Banda Sea, Indonesia, off the south east coast of Sulawesi. Its area is 705.71 km2 and at the 2020 Census it had a population of 37,050; the official estimate as at mid 2022 was 38,383.Bada ...

and small offshore islets around it. The province now forms one of Indonesia's 84 national electoral districts to elect members to the

People's Representative Council The House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (, DPR-RI or simply DPR) is one of two elected chambers of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the national legislature of Indonesia. It is considered the lower house, while th ...

. The Southeast Sulawesi Electoral District consists of all of the 15 regencies in the province, together with the cities of Kendari and Bau-Bau, and elects 6 members to the People's Representative Council.Law No. 7/2017 (''UU No. 7 Tahun 2017'') as amended by Government Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 1/2022 and Regulation of General Elections Commission No. 6/2023.

Transportation

Airports

Betoambari Airport Betoambari Airport () is a public airport near Baubau, a city in the province of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Facilities The airport is at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 04/22 with an asphalt Asphalt mos ...

, Baubau *

Haluoleo Airport Haluoleo Airport , formerly Wolter Monginsidi Airport, is a domestic airport serving Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Although the airport primarily serves Kendari, it is located outside the city limits, in Ranomeeto, South K ...

, South Konawe *

Matahora Airport Matahora Airport (Indonesian: ''Bandar Udara Matahora'') is located in Wangi-wangi Island, Wakatobi Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The airport serves as the point of entry to the Wakatobi National Park, a major international tourist d ...

, Wakatobi * Sangia Nibandera Airport, Kolaka *

Sugimanuru Airport Sugimanuru Airport () is a domestic airport located at Raha, the capital of Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi province on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Expansion In 2014, the regent of Muna district built a new terminal at a cost of mo ...

, West Muna *

Tomia Airport The beak, bill, or Rostrum (anatomy), rostrum is an external anatomical structure found mostly in birds, but also in turtles, non-avian dinosaurs and a few mammals. A beak is used for pecking, wikt:grasp#Verb, grasping, and holding (in wikt:probe ...

, Wakatobi

Ports

* Antam Pomalaa, Kolaka * Bungkutoko, Kendari * Ferry (ASDP), Kolaka * Ferry Batulo, Baubau * Ferry Lagasa, Muna * Ferry Pure, Muna * Ferry Tampo, Muna * Ferry Tondasi, West Muna * Ferry Wamengkoli, Central Buton * Liana Banggai, Central Buton * Maligano, Muna * Murhum, Baubau * Nusantara, Kendari * Nusantara Raha, Muna * Pangulu Belo, Wakatobi * Samudra, Kolaka * Simpu, South Buton * Transito Talaga Raya, Central Buton

References

External links

Official websiteBest Campus in Southeast Sulawesi
{{Authority control States and territories established in 1964 Provinces of Indonesia

Southeast The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, Radius, radially arrayed compass directions (or Azimuth#In navigation, azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A ''compass rose'' is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, ...