Lombok is noticeably different in several aspects to its close neighboring island, Bali. The northwestern part of Lombok is mountainous and lush with tall trees, whereas the southeastern part is much dryer with less vegetation forming a Savannah-like ecosystem. The flora, and in particular the fauna, of Lombok are also different from its western neighboring islands. It lacks the large mammalian species (elephants, tigers, rhinoceros). Instead, it is inhabited by other species, in particular birds, which appear to be of Australian descent. This was first noticed by the well-known 19th century naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace, who proposed the theory that in the ice period, when the sea levels were low, the western Indonesian islands (Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo) were connected to the Asian continent by the Sunda Shelf. Lombok and the necklace of the eastern islands of Nusa Tenggara remained separate. The low sea levels made migration of Australian bird species from the closely located Australian Sahul Shelf to these islands possible. The division between the eastern end of the Asian Sunda Shelf and the islands of Nusa Tenggara is now referred to as the Wallace’s Line. This imaginary dividing line runs through the Straight of Lombok, the deep sea channel between the islands of Bali and Lombok.
The original inhabitants of Lombok consist of about 80% of the Sasaks, who speak a different language and live mostly in the central and eastern parts of the island. They are Muslims and have their own unique culture, traditions, and festivals. They are agriculturally oriented in producing rice, vegetables and tobacco.
The west coast area shows a much more divers population. There the Hindu Balinese are in the majority, who are living together with Javanese, Chinese, and Arabs.
Lombok is an interesting island to visit and explore. One can make a stiff hike up to the top of Indonesia’s highest volcano, Gunung Rinjani (3726 m) and watch from the summit the spectacular views during sunrise on early mornings; enjoy the beautiful vistas to be seen along the coastline and the entertainment offered at the sea resorts; observe the great contrast in climate and vegetation between the northern and southern part of the island and visit some traditional Sasaks communities, as e.g. Bayan, Rembitan and Sukarara. In short, Lombok offers a great variety of exciting experiences for tourists to enjoy.