Sunda Islands facts for kids
The Sunda Islands are a group of islands in Southeast Asia. They are part of a larger area called the Malay Archipelago. This archipelago is a huge group of islands between the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The Sunda Islands are split into two main parts: the Greater Sunda Islands and the Lesser Sunda Islands.
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What are the Greater Sunda Islands?
The Greater Sunda Islands include some very large islands. These are Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Sulawesi. These islands are well-known and home to many people.
What are the Lesser Sunda Islands?
The Lesser Sunda Islands are made up of many smaller islands. They stretch east from Java. Some of these islands include Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, and Timor.
Who owns the Sunda Islands?
Today, the Sunda Islands are divided among several countries. Most of them belong to Indonesia. Parts of Borneo are also part of Malaysia and Brunei. The eastern part of Timor Island is an independent country called East Timor.
The Wallace Line
A special line called the Wallace Line runs through the Sunda Islands. This line is not a physical border you can see. Instead, it is a very important biological boundary.
What does the Wallace Line do?
The Wallace Line separates the animal and plant life of two different regions. To the west of the line, you find animals and plants similar to those in Southeast Asia. To the east, you find species more like those found in Australia. This is because the islands on each side of the line were connected to different landmasses in the past.
