FLORES

The long, narrow island of Flores was a Portuguese settlement for several hundred years, before taken over by the Dutch. As a consequence, close to 90 percent of the population of a little more than 1 million, are officially Catholics. In many areas this religion is still living side by side with animism and century old traditions.

A variety of ethnic groups, both from Flores itself, and from the neighboring islands, creates a colorful mixture of people. Several traditional villages are found, in particular in Central Flores.

West Flores is the starting point for trips to Komodo and Rinca islands for a chance to watch the Komodo dragons in real life. Also megaliths, spider web rice fields, famous caves (Flores man) and several volcanoes are to be found on Flores. Kelimutu, the mysterious volcano with three colored crater lakes, has its home here. In the clear blue ocean there is diving, fishing, corals.

Agriculture (rice, some coffee and cocoa, manioc, corn and livestock) and some fishing are the backbones of the economy on the island.