Komodo Island is one of the 17,508 islands that compose the Republic of Indonesia.
Komodo Island is believed to have been formed approximately 1 million years ago.
The island is significant becouse it is the habitat of the Komodo dragon, the largest lizard on Earth.
Komodo Island has a surface area of 390 square kilometres (150 square miles) and a human population of over 2,000.
Many people of the island are descendants of former convicts who were exiled to the island.
Komodo is part of the Lesser Sunda chain of islands and forms part of the Komodo National Park.
Komodo National Park was originally established to protect the Komodo dragon.
Based on research, prehistoric dragons extinct since 30 million years ago. But it turns out in this komodo island you can find prehistoric animals are still alive and able to survive until this moment.
Ancient taboos strictly forbid harming the komodos, which is why they survived here while becoming extinct elsewhere. In addition, the government issued a protection on the lizards in 1915.
The Komodo dragons inhabit this island and only a four others nearby islands.
On the island of Komodo and surroundings there are 277 species of animals that come from a mix of animals Asia and Australia, which consists of 32 species of mammals, 128 bird species and 37 reptilian species.
There are about 4000 wild birds on Komodo Island, and it is also home to many endangered species.
Together with the dragons, there are 25 species of land animals and birds are protected animals, because of the limited number.
Deer are a favorite food of the Komodo dragon and in an effort to increase their population the government began prohibiting deer hunting by the islanders.
For centuries, a local tradition required feeding the dragons by leaving deer parts behind after a hunt or by sacrificing goats.
In the past, the practice maintained a friendly relationship with the animals, which can live for more than 50 years and recognise individual humans.
The earliest stories of a dragon existing in the region circulated widely and attracted considerable
attention. But no one visited the island to check the story until early 1910s.
The highest mountain on Komodo Island is Satalibo, which reaches 735 meters (2411 feet) above sea level.
The flora on Komodo Island is lontar palm savannah with remnates of rainforest and bamboo forest at higher elevations.
Komodo Island have a beach with pink sand, one of only seven in the world. The sand appears pink because it is a mixture of white sand combined with red sand, formed from pieces of Foraminifera.
There are 253 species of reef-building corals are found there, with approximately 1000 species of fish.
This natural beauty that attracts many divers and tourists to swim in this waters. It’s possible to go
diving in Komodo all year long.
In 1991, Komodo National Park was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Komodo Island became one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature on November 11, 2011.