The Minahasan region covers an area of approximately 418,862 Ha with a population of 733,029 people (1996).
The capital of this district is Tondano, a town close to Lake Tondano. It is situated on a plateau 700 m above sea level, surrounded by magnificent countryside with cool mountainous air.
Minahasan people believe the legend that they are descendants of Toar and Lumimuut. The reminders of this time long ago are the Waruga, stonegraves in Sawangan Airmadidi and Watu Pinabetengan in Tompaso.
In the XV century, before the arrival of Spanish, a unanimous decision was made by the seven local chieftains about the territorial division for each tribe in Watu Pinabetengan.
The word Minahasa which means unification of the tribes was derived from the word esa or one, hence the land was named Minahasa.
