CELEBES (sel'eb-ez), one of the larger islands of the Indian Archipelago, be tween Borneo on the W. and the Moluc cas on the E. It consists mainly of four large peninsulas stretching to the E. and S., and separated by three deep gulfs; total area, 72,070 square miles. No part of it is more than 70 miles from the sea. Celebes is mountainous chiefly in the center and the N., where there are several active volcanoes. It has also broad grassy plains and extensive for ests. Gold is found in all the valleys of the N. peninsula, which abounds in sul phur. Copper occurs at various points, and in Macassar tin also. Diamonds and other precious stones are found. The island is entirely destitute of feline or canine animals, insectivora, the elephant, rhinoceros, and tapir (though these are found in Borneo), but it has the ante lopean buffalo (Anoa), the spiral-tusked pig (Babyroussa), etc. Among domes ticated animals are small but vigorous horses, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and pigs. Trepang and turtle are caught in abun dance. Marsupial animals are repre sented by the cuscus, an opossum-like animal with a prehensile tail. Among the trees are the oak, teak, cedar, upas, bamboo, etc. Among cultivated plants are the coffee-tree, indigo, cacao, sugar cane, manioc root, tobacco, etc.
The maritime districts are inhabited by Malays; the Peninsula of Macassar is occupied by Bugis and Macassars.
Mandhars dwell in the W. of the island, and the mountainous regions in the in terior, especially in the N., are inhabited by Alfoories. The inhabitants may be classed into two groups: the Moham medan semi-civilized tribes, and the pa gans, who are more or less savage. The capital is Macassar, in the S. W. of the island (pop. about 30,000). The trade in trepang is very important, Macassar be ing the chief staple place for this ar ticle of commerce. The three great languages of the island, not reckoning the dialects of the savage tribes, are those of the Bugis, the Macassars, and the Mandhars. The ancient Bugi is the language of science and religion. The Bugis have a considerable body of litera ture. Celebes was first visited by the Portuguese in 1512, but no factory was established by them there till a few years later. In 1660 Macassar was taken by the Dutch, the southern por tion of the island put under Dutch rule, and the Portuguese expelled. In 1683 the northern part likewise fell into their hands. The island was conquered by the British in 1811, but a few years later it was again given up to the Dutch, in whose possession it has remained ever since. Pop. about 3,100,000.