See Also: Sumba(encyclopedia)

Sumba (sh)




English Sandalwood Island

Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia.

The island, 140 mi (225 km) long and up to 50 mi (80 km) wide, is mainly a high plateau with good harbours on the northern coast. Its chieftains were brought by treaty under Dutch control in 1756. Sumba became part of independent Indonesia in 1950. It is known for the Sandalwood horse and Ongole cattle, and its woven cloth is famous for its design. Corn is the main crop; copra is exported.