Madura Island, Tropical island in East Java, Indonesia
Madura sits off the northeastern coast of Java, separated from the mainland by a narrow waterway. The terrain is mostly flat with scattered hills in the western section, while wide coastal strips show salt-rich soils and rice paddies.
Dutch colonial authorities took control of the territory in 1705 and reorganized local governance. After World War II, the territory became part of independent Indonesia.
The Madurese language uses distinct words for social hierarchy and politeness that you can hear at markets or local gatherings. Mosques with slender minarets appear throughout villages and towns, where residents pray five times daily.
Roads run across the territory from east to west, connecting villages and coastal settlements. Travelers can use local minibus lines or explore smaller routes by motorbike, widely available throughout the area.
Salt harvesting takes place in government-managed facilities along the shallow coastline, where seawater flows into wide basins and evaporates under the sun. Bull racing draws spectators to rural settlements in September, where decorated animals compete in traditional contests.
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