Southeast Sulawesi (Indonesian: Sulawesi Tenggara, Indonesian pronunciation: [sulaˌwesi t̪əŋˈɡara]; often abbreviated to Sultra, Indonesian pronunciation: [ˈsʊlt̪ra]) is a province on the island of Sulawesi, forming the southeastern peninsula of that island, together with a number of substantial offshore islands such as Buton, Muna, Kabaena, and Wawonii (formerly called Wowoni), together with many smaller islands. It is bordered by South Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi to the north, sharing a maritime border with Maluku and North Maluku to the east and East Nusa Tenggara to the south, as well a very narrow maritime border with East Timor to the south. The capital is the city of Kendari, on the east coast of the peninsula.
The province has no highway road connecting to the rest of the island, and the primary transportation link is a ferry across the Bone Gulf between Watampone (Bone) in South Sulawesi and the port of Kolaka in Southeast Sulawesi.
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History
From the seventeenth century until the early twentieth century, the region was the site of the Buton Sultanate (Butung).
Geography
The two major mountain ranges in Southeast Sulawesi are the Tanggeasinua Range and the Mekongga Range. The major rivers are the Lalinda, the Lasolo, and the Sampara.
Demographics
The population of the province was 2,232,586 at the 2010 decennial census (1,120,225 males, and 1,110,344 females), increasing to 2,624,875 at the 2020 Census. The official estimate as at mid 2025 was 2,836,740. Konawe Selatan, Konawe, Kolaka and Muna are the four most populous regencies.
A third of the population is centered on Buton and Muna islands off the south coast of Sulawesi, and another 15% live in and around Kendari.
Religion
Islam is the predominant religion (96.2%). According to the 2021 estimates, 2,560,000 people were Muslims, 50,780 were Hindus, 44,870 were Protestants, 16,180 were Roman Catholics, 1,610 were Buddhists, 113 were Confusians and 63 adhered to Folk religions.
Ethnic groups
The ethnic groups in Southeast Sulawesi are Buton (Wolio, Lasalimu, Kumbewaha, Cia-cia), Muna (Busoa, Kaimbulawa, Liabuku, Pancana, Kioko), Wakatobi (Tukangbesi, Bonerate), Tolaki, Culambacu, Kalisusu (Taloki, Koroni), Moronene, Wawonii, and others.
Government and administrative divisions
Southeast Sulawesi Province is divided into fifteen regencies (including the five new regencies established in 2013 and 2014) and two autonomous cities.
As at 1995, there were just four regencies within the province - Buton, Kolaka, Konawe and Muna. On 3 August, the city of Kendari was created from part of Konawe Regency, and on 21 June 2001 the city of Bau-Bau was created from part of Buton Regency.
On 25 February 2003, South Konawe Regency was created from part of Konawe Regency. On 18 December 2003, three new regencies were created - Bombana Regency and Wakatobi Regency from parts of Buton Regency, and North Kolaka Regency from part of Kolaka Regency. On 2 January 2007, two new regencies were created - North Konawe Regency from part of Konawe Regency, and North Buton Regency from part of Muna Regency.
In 2013 the Indonesian Government enacted the creation of 11 new Regencies and Municipalities, including the following in Southeast Sulawesi:
Konawe Islands Regency, from part of Konawe Regency (enacted by Act No.8 of 2013, on 11 January 2013).
East Kolaka Regency, from part of Konawe Regency (enacted by Act No.11 of 2013, on 11 May 2013).
Subsequently, on 24 June 2014, the Indonesian Parliament agreed to create three more new regencies, based on consideration of technical, administrative, area, strategic and geopolitic factors:
South Buton Regency, from part of Buton Regency (enacted by Act No.16 of 2014, on 23 July 2014).
Central Buton Regency, from part of Buton Regency (enacted by Act No.16 of 2014, on 23 July 2014).
Transportation
Airports
Betoambari Airport, Baubau
Haluoleo Airport, South Konawe
Matahora Airport, Wakatobi
Sangia Nibandera Airport, Kolaka
Sugimanuru Airport, West Muna
Tomia Airport, Wakatobi
Ports
Antam Pomalaa, Kolaka
Bungkutoko, Kendari
Ferry (ASDP), Kolaka
Ferry Batulo, Baubau
Ferry Lagasa, Muna
Ferry Pure, Muna
Ferry Tampo, Muna
Ferry Tondasi, West Muna
Ferry Wamengkoli, Central Buton
Liana Banggai, Central Buton
Maligano, Muna
Murhum, Baubau
Nusantara, Kendari
Nusantara Raha, Muna
Pangulu Belo, Wakatobi
Samudra, Kolaka
Simpu, South Buton
Transito Talaga Raya, Central Buton