Maluku Islands
1
6.3
- proper noun
:
Islas Maluku
- The Maluku Islands played a significant role in the spice trade during the colonial era, influencing global commerce.
- Indonesia's Maluku Islands
Examples
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The Maluku Islands are known for their rich biodiversity.
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Many explorers risked their lives to reach the Maluku Islands in search of cloves and nutmeg.
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The Maluku Islands were once at the center of the global spice trade.
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Today, the Maluku Islands offer beautiful beaches and a rich cultural heritage for visitors.
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Many tourists visit the Maluku Islands for their stunning beaches.
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The Maluku Islands are renowned for their rich history in spice production, attracting traders from around the world.
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Many tourists visit the Maluku Islands to experience their unique culture and stunning natural landscapes.
Synonyms
1
8.3
A group of islands in eastern Indonesia called the Spice Islands and famous for nutmeg and cloves
1
5.9
A group of islands in eastern Indonesia famous for nutmeg and cloves
Surface Forms
Morphology
Maluku + island
This is a compositional geographic name: 'islands' clearly means pieces of land surrounded by water and 'Maluku' is a place-name, so together they denote the islands associated with Maluku. The pattern 'X Islands' is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common construction, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will infer the meaning.
Etymology
Maluku Islands may come from an old phrase meaning 'islands of the kings' because local rulers and foreign traders once fought over the rich spice lands there. So, the name fits: the islands are still known as the 'Spice Islands' for their famous cloves and nutmeg.