Flores Island, Volcanic island in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
Flores Island is a volcanic island between Sumbawa and Timor in East Nusa Tenggara province. A mountain range runs through it from west to east and separates regions with their own languages and dialects.
Portuguese traders reached the island in the 16th century and gave it its name. The Dutch took control from 1618 and expanded their administration across the entire territory by the early 20th century.
The name comes from the Portuguese word for Cape of Flowers, which sailors gave to the region. Many villages still follow adat customs in which clans regard certain animals or plants as protective symbols and use them in ceremonies.
The island divides into five administrative districts that stretch from Manggarai in the west to Flores Timur in the east. Ende on the south coast serves as the main port and connection point to other islands in the region.
Archaeologists discovered remains of an early human species that lived here until about 13,000 years ago. This species was much smaller than modern humans and is now considered a separate branch.
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