Pulau Alor Island Indonesia (Kalabahi-Takpala, East Nusa Tenggara)

Pulau Alor is the largest island in Alor Archipelago and one of Indonesia's 92 officially listed outlying islands. Alor island covers a total area of approx 2800 km2 (1100 mi2) and has population around 150,000.

Pulau Alor is located at the eastern Lesser Sunda Islands (southeastern Indonesia). West of Alor are the islands Bali, Komodo, Flores, Sumbawa, Lombok. East of Alor (across Ombai Strait) are the islands Atauro (East Timor) and Wetar. Across Alor Strait (to the south) is Timor's western part. To the north is Banda Sea.

The island has a volcanic origin and rugged terrain. The region around Kalabahi (Alor's main port town) is the only flat area. This was the reason why in 1911 the Dutch chose this location for the island's capital city and main harbor (Alor-Kecil).

In November 2004, a 7,5 Richter magnitude earthquake killed 34 people and injured 400.

Island's infrastructure is poor and weakly built. The locals practice subsistence agriculture. Tamarind, vanilla, almonds and other nuts are cultivated in the villages. Sandalwood is cut down in the forests for trade.

The latest geological explorations discovered valuable mineral resources like gypsum, kaolin, natural gas, petroleum, gold, tin, diamonds. Snorkeling and diving promise an increase in tourism in the future. Sadly, the surrounding coral reefs have been damaged by the depletion of fisheries.

Pulau Alor Island Indonesia cruise terminal