[muh-luhk-uh
z] 
) | a group of islands in Indonesia, between Sulawesi (Celebes) and New Guinea. 995,000; ab. 30,000 sq. mi. (78,000 sq. km). |
| Mo·luc·cas (mə-lŭk'əz) A group of islands of eastern Indonesia between Sulawesi and New Guinea. Discovered in the early 16th century, the islands were settled by the Portuguese but taken in the 17th century by the Dutch, who used them as the basis for their monopoly of the spice trade. Mo·luc'can adj. & n. |