KOMODO ISLAND
One of three major
islands of the Komodo National Park
Lesser Sunda
Islands of Indonesian archipelago,
Province of East Nusa Tenggara Province
World Heritage Site
and UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve
Tourist attractions
Komodo is part of the Lesser
Sunda chain of islands in Indonesian archipelago and one of three major islands
of the Komodo National Park. It lies between the substantially larger
neighboring islands Sumbawa to the west and Flores to the east. The island's
surface area covers 390 square kilometres. Administratively, it is part of the East Nusa Tenggara Province. The island is particularly notable as the
habitat of the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on Earth, which is named for the
island. Komodo was accepted as a biosphere reserve under the UNESCO Man and
Biosphere Programme in January 1977, in 1980 it was declared World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere
Reserve by UNESCO in 1986 as part of Komodo National Park, both indications of
the Park's biological importance. The island is also a popular destination for
diving and it has been included into the controversial New7Wonders of Nature
list since November 11, 2011.
