Flores

Flores, the name of two islands. (1) One of the Sunda islands in the East Indies, lying due south from Celebes. It is of an oblong shape, with an area of 6026 sq. m., is heavily timbered, and mountainous in the interior, forming, in fact, an eastward continuation of the Sumatra-Java volcanic girdle. The western half, called Mangarai, is subject to a native chief; the eastern half, known as Endeh, belongs to Holland. Pop. 250,000. Trade, principally in tortoiseshell, cinnamon, sandalwood, and edible birds'-nests, is almost exclusively in the hands of Bugis (see BONI).—(2) An island of the Azores (q.v.).