- Location: South Sulawesi, Indonesia
- Elevation above sea level: 382 m
- Dimensions: 28x8 km
- Area: 164.1 sq. M. km
- The greatest depth: 590 m
- Average depth: 37 m
- Flowing river: Pentengen
The moderate climate, fertile soil and minerals found on land and in the waters of Indonesia make the archipelago not only the habitat for rare representatives of flora and fauna, but also one of the most attractive tourist regions of Southeast Asia. This amazing land is extraordinarily rich in various kinds of natural attractions , among which also includes the lake of Matano (Danau Matano) - one of the deepest lakes of the planet. Let's talk more about it.
General information
Situated at an altitude of 382 m above sea level in the southern part of Sulawesi Island , Lake Matano is a truly unique landmark. Its area is slightly more than 164 square meters. km, and the maximum depth - almost 600 m. The estimated age of the lake, according to research data - from 1 to 4 million years.
It is believed that the name of the reservoir is given in honor of a small fishing village located on its shore. By the way, in the Indonesian language, matano means "well, fountain". Local residents believe that it is a small well in the village that is the source of the water of an unusual lake.
Underwater world of Matano
Isolated from other water bodies, the lake boasts an absolutely unique fauna, most of which are endemic (more than 70 species of mollusks and shrimps, 25 species of fish, etc.). In addition, in the waters of Matano, there are several species of Sulawesi crabs, which differ from others in bright colors and a calmer character. It is believed that they all come from one kind of ancestors, which has diversified into many different subspecies. According to researchers, the only imported is the eel.
Although Lake Matano is located in a very remote area, it is close to one of the largest nickel mines in the world. Despite the well-developed environmental protection program and numerous awards received by the company for its safety system, scientists are still afraid that because of the increase in sediment in the lake, the richest biodiversity may be lost.
Recreation and entertainment on the shore of the lake
An unusually picturesque lake with crystal clear blue water attracts a huge number of foreign travelers every year. Located in the midst of the mountain forests of Weerbeck, Matano falls in love with himself from the first seconds. The most popular tourist attractions are:
- swimming;
- diving ;
- canoeing;
- rafting;
- water skiing, etc.
Lake Matano is not a publicized, secluded paradise where crowds of tourists are rarely found, so this place is ideal for people who want to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of pristine nature. Large companies can organize a camp on the beach directly and spend a few days away from the noisy resorts .
Since 2015, the lake hosts an annual festival in May aimed at attracting the attention of foreign tourists to Matano. During the holiday there are competitions for running, cycling and, of course, swimming.
How to get there?
Partly because of the uneasy geographical location, Matano is not considered the most visited place in Indonesia, but those tourists who still dare to make a difficult journey to the lake will be rewarded with an excellent rest and a lot of positive emotions. You can reach the destination in several ways:
- By bus. The road from the capital of the province of South Sulawesi to the lake is long and bumpy, and all the way will take more than 12 hours, so this variant of travel will suit only budget tourists who are not limited in time.
- By airplane. Comparatively expensive method of transportation, however, the most convenient and fastest. The capacity of 1 aircraft is about 50 people.
- On a rented car. According to travelers' reviews, the most successful and easiest way to get to Matano is to rent a car and get to the lake by coordinates and directions.