Sunda Islands, Island group in Indonesian Archipelago
The Sunda Islands are an island group in the Indonesian Archipelago, stretching between the Malay Peninsula and the Moluccas and made up of numerous landmasses of varying size. These islands scatter across wide stretches of water, forming a chain surrounded by tropical seas and the Indian Ocean.
Portuguese seafarers in the 16th century created the division between the larger western islands, which they called Greater Sunda, and the smaller eastern ones, named Lesser Sunda. This split helped them plan and describe trade routes through the region.
The islands contain multiple religious communities, with Islam representing 41 percent, Hinduism 25 percent, and Christianity 33 percent of the population.
The island chain spans multiple countries and administrative areas, including Indonesia, Brunei, East Timor, Malaysia, and Singapore. Travelers should keep in mind that each administrative unit has its own entry requirements and transport connections.
The name comes from a large volcano that stood north of Bandung in West Java during the Pleistocene and covered the surrounding area with white ash. This volcanic activity shaped the landscape and gave the entire island group its name.
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