Neighboring Bali, Lombok is part of the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) with the capital Mataram. With an area of 5200 square km and a population of over 2.5 million people, Lombok does not attract as many tourists as Bali but nevertheless beautiful landscapes of rice fields and beautiful beaches of white sand. A Muslim dominance, the Sasak retain strong animist customs and practice a craft rich, including weaving and pottery. Lombok delight all travelers in search of authenticity wishing to escape the tourist crowds.Geography
The culmination of Lombok is Mount Rinjani, which climb the 3726 meters, masterfully dominates this small island. The center is largely arrosépermettant crops of rice and spices, cassava or tobacco. The ribs, especially the South, North and the East are much more arid.
Lombok beaches are beautiful and very wild and little traffic, except Sengggigi which has grown relatively large tourist. Off the Gili islands offer magnificent opportunities for scuba diving with funds exceptional reefs. Some surf spots are also famous, especially around Kuta.
Climate
The climate in Lombok is substantially the same as Bali but still drier. So close to shore, the temperature ranges from 27 ° C (dry season) to 32 degrees C (rainy season). In the mountains, it is around 20 to 25 degrees C, depending on altitude. The dry season runs from March to October and the rainy season from November to April with rainfall more pronounced from December to February. The West is much wetter where it can rain in the dry season.
Today’s weather in Mataram (Lombok) with Yahoo
Religion and culture
The Sasak Muslims were the original inhabitants of Lombok and constitute by far the largest ethnic group. They retained their language and their customs. In the West, there is a relatively large population of Balinese Hindus who fled to Lombok during the Dutch invasion. The island also has a few small communities of Chinese, Bugis and Sumbawa. The Sasak practice two forms of Islam: the “waktu telu” is a traditional mixture of Islam and worship of ancestors and the more orthodox Islam.
Although arts and crafts are not as developed as Bali, Lombok is located in beautiful ikats and pottery and basketry are of high quality.
Economy
In the early 90s, Lombok has undergone major changes with the development of tourism including Senggigi (West) where many hotels have flourished along the coast. The Indonesian government wanted to offer an alternative to Bali and major projects were under way in the South. The troubles of 1997 and 2000, however, have put an end to this promising growth and Lombok is little frequented by tourists. Agriculture and fishing remains the main activities of the island and poverty is more present than Bali or Java.
To do and see
Lombok offers less wealth but Bali cultural landscapes are beautiful. Kuta and its region, south, offers beautiful white sand beaches and tourists are rare! There are also some surf spots famous as “Desert Point” accessible only by boat.
West Coast also offers beautiful beaches, but tourism development and the multitude of infrastructure make the stay pleasant little.
The center and the region Tetebatu this beautiful landscapes of rice fields where you can practice hiking. There are also some small artisan villages specializing in PORTERIE or basketry. The ascent of Mount Rinjani is possible from the village of sapit on the south-eastern flank of the volcano. It requires good physical preparation and takes 3 to 5 days. The services of a guide is compulsory.
Gili Islands, North West, are beautiful and lend themselves perfectly to the practice of diving with beautiful corals and diverse aquatic life (sharks, rays, turtles …). Although tourism is largely developed on these three islands, the atmosphere is peaceful and craft engines are banned! Gili Meno and Gili Air are much quieter than Gili Trawangan which has become the benchmark followers of techno!
Source: http://www.changeformissouri.org/?p=118
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