Situated
between Bali and Sumbawa, Lombok is part of the chain of the Lesser Sunda
Islands, with the Lombok Strait separating it from Bali to the west and the Alas Strait
between it and Sumbawa to the east. Lombok has much in common with nearby Bali, but less
well-known and less-visited by foreigners. The island has a total area of about 4,725
sqkm. and a population of 2,403,025 in 1990 (mainly Sasak (85%), Balinese (14%)).
The island's is dominated by the volcano Mount Rinjani (Gunung Rinjani), which rises to
3,726 m., making it the third-largest in Indonesia. Its most recent eruption was in
June-July, 1994. Inside the volcano is a crater lake, both, the volcano and the lake are a
National Park established in 1997. The island produce corn, coffee, tobacco, rice and
cotton. The most beautiful beach area is that of Kuta-Tanjung Aan in the Southern coast of
the island.
