Celebes (in England usually pronounced Ce'lebes), the third largest and the central island of the Eastern Archipelago, from 1° 45' N. to 5° 37' S. lat., and from 118° 49' to 125° 5' E. long.; about 800 miles long by 200 broad; total area estimated at 76,260 sq. m. It is practically a Dutch possession, though there are numerous small native states. In configuration, it consists of a central nucleus whence radiate four long mountainous limbs, respectively E., NE., SE., and S., inclosing the three gulfs of Gorontalo, running in nearly 200 miles, Tolo 150 miles, and Boni about 200 miles. The gulfs, as also the north and west coasts, are studded with islands, rocks and shoals, and larger outlying islands. Of the central nucleus and the two inner limbs little is known. The east end of the eastern peninsula (north end of island), Minahassa district, is subject to earthquakes, and contains 11 volcanoes, some of them active, such as Mount Sapoetan (5938 feet), and, farther east, Mount Klabat (6559 feet), which has now, however, long been quiescent, besides numerous hot springs and sulphur lakes. The mountains of the south peninsula, essentially a limestone formation, seldom rise above 2000 feet. In the extreme south, however, are Maros (4225 feet) and Bonthain (9994 feet). The uplands of the south peninsula are well wooded, but its vegetation is much less luxuriant than that of the east peninsula. Between the hills and coast of the south peninsula are extensive grassy plains, affording pasture for large herds of cattle, and for the horses for which the district is famous.
Celebes is rich in lakes, among them, Passo, in the central nucleus, 35 miles by 25 miles, and Tondano, nearly 2000 feet above the sea. There are numerous streams, but Celebes, no part of which is more than 50 miles from the sea, offers no space for the formation of large rivers. The Sadang, rising near lake Passo, flows due south for nearly 120 miles.
Thanks to the elevation of the land and its sea-exposure, Celebes enjoys a comparatively cool and healthy climate. The vegetation includes rice, maize, coffee, sugar, tobacco, indigo, area, betel, pepper, clove and nutmeg growing wild; the tree yielding macassar oil, oak, teak, cedar, ebony, sandalwood, bamboos; also the upas. Minahassa, the most highly cultivated district, 60 by 20 miles, has coffee plantations, producing coffee of a remarkably fine flavour, entirely in the hands of the government, and where alone the 'culture system' has been applied in its integrity since 1822. Many animals, birds, and insects are wholly peculiar to Celebes—a tailless baboon, two kinds of cuscus, the babiroussa, and Sapi-utan, three kinds of starlings, two magpies, &c. Gold is obtained from surface washings, principally in Minahassa and Gorontalo districts; iron in the districts bordering the Gulf of Tolo. Salt is also abundant. Tin and copper are likewise worked.
The population of the island of Celebes is given at 1,000,000, who may all be regarded as belonging to various Malay stocks, except 7000 Chinese and 2500 Europeans. The Bugis (see BONI) and Mangassars of the south peninsula, tall, shapely, and comparatively fair, are the dominant native race, much disposed to trading and seafaring. The 'Alfuros,' a collective name for the other native tribes, are at a very low grade of culture. Celebes was first visited in 1525 by a Portuguese expedition from the Moluccas. In 1607 the Dutch began to trade with Celebes, and now claim the whole island, which they have divided into the residencies of Macassar and Menado, a third division round the north and west of the Gulf of Tolo being included in the residence of the Ternate. The total value of the exports in 1884 was £600,000, of which coffee formed nearly a half; and the imports in the same year, £465,714. The women of Celebes weave the sarang, or national garment, which, together with variegated mats, is largely exported. A 'high-road' skirts the coast of the south peninsula from Mandale, 30 miles N. of Macassar, to Balang-Nifra, on the Gulf of Boni; elsewhere are only ordinary roads and footpaths. The chief town is Macassar, with a sea-frontage of nearly 2½ miles. Menado, the capital of Minahassa district, and seat of a Dutch resident, is described as the prettiest settlement in the whole of the Dutch East Indies, and has a pop. of 2500. See Lahure, L'île de Célebes (Paris, 1879).