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The Wallace Line, named after 19th
century naturalist, Alfred Russell Wallace, marks a point of transition
between the flora and fauna of Western and Eastern Indonesia and
acts as the Western boundary of West Nusa Tenggara which
includes the islands of Lombok and Sumbawa. Lombok is noticeably
different to its close neighbour, Bali.
The northern part of the island is mountainous and lush with tall
trees and shrubs. The south, on the other hand is arid and covered
by savannas.
Large Asian mammals are absent and replaced instead by large numbers
of marsupials, lizards, cockatoos and parrots.
The difference becomes more pronounced as one moves further east
where dry seasons are more prolonged and the land is dry and bush-like,
and so in many areas corn and sago are the staple food, instead
of rice.
At around the time Islam first came to these islands
in the 16th century, four Hindu Kingdoms co-existed in apparent
peace in what is now West Nusa Tenggara and is still the religion
embraced by those in the west of Lombok, who are primarily Balinese.
Lombok experienced strong Balinese influences in the past, but has
still retained a unique identity. The indigenous people of Lombok,
the Sasaks, are predominantly Moslem and have a strong, distinguished
tradition as do the people of neighouring Sumbawa.
Soft, white sand, virgin beaches are typical in Lombok, where the
motto is " You can see Bali in Lombok, but not Lombok in
Bali". Famous for its ikat handwoven textiles, the island
has exceptional charm and is relatively undiscovered, except for
the town of Senggigi which becoming a major resort area.
Regular shuttle flights from Bali and Surabaya as well as ferries,
provide excellent transportation links within the islands of the
province as well as with the rest of the country.
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