Makassar

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/makassar

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Where is Makassar?Southwestern coast of Sulawesi island, Indonesia, situated on the Makassar Strait
2. How many people live in Makassar?Approximately 1.4 million residents (city proper)
3. How big is Makassar?Approximately 190 square kilometers
4. What is the capital of Makassar?Makassar is the capital of South Sulawesi province
5. What language do people speak in Makassar?Indonesian (official), Makassarese (local), and other regional languages
6. Why is Makassar important for trade?It was a major spice trading city in the past and today its busy port connects the Java Sea to the Flores Sea, helping ships travel between western and eastern Indonesia.

Makassar Strait: A vital maritime passage connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans, crucial for regional and international shipping.
Spice Trade: A historical global commerce network focused on valuable spices like cloves, nutmeg, and pepper, which drove exploration and colonization.
Sultanate of Gowa: A powerful indigenous kingdom that controlled Makassar and its lucrative trade routes prior to Dutch colonial influence.
Decentralization: The process of transferring power and responsibilities from a central government to regional or local authorities.