During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Morotai was generally within the sphere of influence of the powerful sultanate on the island of Ternate. It was the core of a larger region, called Moro, that included the island and the coastline of Halmahera closest to Morotai to the south. In the mid-sixteenth century, the island was also the site of a PortugueseJesuit mission. The Muslim states on Ternate and Halmahera resented the outpost for its proselytising activities, and managed to drive the mission from the island in 1571, as a part of a larger Portuguese retreat in the region. In the seventeenth century, Ternate further exerted its power over Morotai by repeatedly forcing major parts of the population to move off the island. Early in the century most of the population was moved to Dodinga, a small town in a strategic spot on Halmahera's west coast. Later, in 1627 and 1628, Sultan Hamzah of Ternate had much of the Christian population of the island moved to Malayu, on Ternate, where they could be more easily controlled.
Morotai became its own regency in 2008, separating from the North Halmahera Regency.
Geography
Morotai is a rugged, forested island lying to the north of Halmahera. It has an area of some, stretching north-south and no more than wide. The regency's largest town is Daruba, on the island's south coast. Almost all of Morotai's numerous villages are coastal settlements; a paved road linking those on the east coast starts from Daruba and will eventually reach Berebere, the principal town on Morotai's east coast, from Daruba.
Administration
The regency is divided into five districts, tabulated below with their areas and their 2010 Census populations.
Name
English name
Area in sq.km
Population Census 2010
Morotai Selatan
South Morotai
373.02
17,547
Morotai Timur
East Morotai
265.04
7,779
Morotai Selatan Barat
Southwest Morotai
696,73
11,078
Morotai Jaya
Great Morotai
440.59
7,067
Morotai Utara
North Morotai
567.04
9,226
Economy
The island is heavily wooded and produces timber and resin and has a subsistence fishing industry. In October 2010, the Indonesia government requested assistance of the Republic of China to help exploiting this island. In 2011 the company PT Halmahera Development & Investment was looking to invest in eco-tourism on the island of Morotai; also small projects to help the people and children of morotai are being planned or unfold like "Help Morotai" a small non-profit origination that is focused on helping children of the Island.
Energy
Currently 3MW Diesel generators across 3 locations one with 2MW, and 2 at 0.5MW. The electrification ratio is reported as 80%. Eight potential locations for micro-hydro were identified by ESDM/KKP.
