Salawati
Salawati is one of the four major islands in the Raja Ampat Islands in Southwest Papua, Indonesia. Its area is 1,902.1 km2. Salawati is separated from New Guinea to the southeast by the Sele Strait, and from Batanta to the north by the Pitt Strait.
History
Islam first arrived in the Raja Ampat archipelago in the 15th century due to political and economic contacts with the Bacan Sultanate. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Sultanate of Tidore had close economic ties with the island. The name of the island comes from Shalawat which was spoken by the Sultan of Bacan as he arrived on the island and memorialized as 'Salawati'. During this period, Islam became firmly established, and local chiefs began adopting Islam. On this island also once stood an Islamic kingdom named Salawati Kingdom which was founded by Fun Malaban. The southern part of the island is the region of the former Sailolof Kingdom based in Sailolof, which was founded by Fun Mo, a Moi not related to the other kings but later married Pinfun Libit, daughter of Waigeo's king.Administration
Salawati Island comprises five administrative districts of Southwest Papua Province. The northern part of the island is divided into North Salawati, West Salawati, and Central Salawati districts of Raja Ampat Regency, while the southern part is divided into South Salawati and Central Salawati districts of Sorong Regency. Note that the name of Central Salawati District is held by two different districts in adjacent parts of the two regencies. Altogether the five districts cover an area of 1,902.1 km21, and had a combined population of 9,891 in mid 2024.| Kode Kemendagri | Name of District | Land area in km2 | Pop'n Census 2010 | Pop'n Census 2020 | Pop'n Estimate mid 2024 | Admin centre | No. of villages | Post code | Villages |
| 92.05.04 | Salawati Utara | 38.52 | 2,144 | 2,597 | 2,956 | Samate | 6 | 98495 | Jefman Barat, Jefman Timur, Kapatlap, Samate, Waidim, Wamega |
| 92.05.22 | Salawati Tengah | 572.47 | 1,917 | 1,992 | 2,263 | Kalobo | 7 | 98494 | Kalobo, Sakabu, Waibu, Waijan, Wailabu, Wailen, Waimeci |
| 92.05.21 | Salawati Barat | 502.47 | 899 | 1,121 | 1,314 | Solol | 4 | 98493 | Kaliam, Kalwal, Solol, Waibon |
| 92.01.14 | Salawati Selatan | 295.74 | 2,057 | 1,212 | 1,468 | Sailolof | 6 | 98424 | Dulbatan, Klotlol, Manoket, Masmaspop, Payapop, Sailolof |
| 92.01.53 | Salawati Tengah | 492.90 | 1,529 | 1,890 | Waliam | 10 | 98425 | Batbiro, Duriankari, Manfanim, Maralol, Meyaup, Sailen, Sakapul, Waibin, Waiman, Waliam |
Note3s: within Raja Ampat Regency. within Sorong Regency.
the 2010 population of the new Salawati Tengah District of Sorong Regency is included with the figure for Salawati Selatan District from which it was separated.
There is also a Salawati District on the Papuan mainland, facing Salawati Island across the islet-studded Sele Strait. It is also a part of Sorong Regency but is obviously not part of Salawati Island.