Celebes

/səˈleɪbiːz/ noun

Definition

The former European name for the Indonesian island now called Sulawesi, used historically in colonial and geographical contexts.

Etymology

From Portuguese or Dutch colonial naming, though the origin of 'Celebes' itself is uncertain—possibly from local Malay or indigenous language roots.

Kelly Says

Colonial powers renamed entire islands and countries, so 'Celebes' vanished from maps when Indonesia reclaimed its own names—geography is political history written on a globe.

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