North Sulawesi is one of the 26 provinces in the Republic of Indonesia, with its capital city being, Manado. Stretching from Miangas (in Sangihe Talaud archipelago) to Molosipat (in Gorontalo), this region with an area of 2,748,763 ha. is located at 0�30"- 4� 3" North Latitude and 121�127" East Longitude.
Based on the regional government system, North Sulawesi is subdivided into the Manado Municipality, Gorontalo Municipality, Bolaang Mongondow District, Sangihe Talaud District and Bitung Municipality. To the North this region borders on the Republic of the Philippines, Sulawesi Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The Eastern part is on the Maluku Sea and the Southern side is the Tomini Gulf. The western part borders Central Sulawesi Province.
The terrain is extremely mountainous and hilly, stretching from Lembean - Wulur Mahatus mountain chain (in Minahasa) continuing to Mount Ambang- Mount Gambuta (in Bolaang Mongondow) up to Tilongkabila mountain chain (in Gorontalo). In Sangihe Talaud there are both active and extinct volcanoes, some towering 1,800 - 2,000 meters. Rich volcanic ash has blessed North Sulawesi with fertile lands; the highlands and lowlands producing rice, coconut, clove, nutmeg, vanilla and vegetables. The plains produce rice and corn in Dumoga, Ayong, Sangkub (Bolaang Mongondow) and Panguyaman, and Marisa which are close to Gorontalo. Plateaus in Tondano, the Minahasan region also produce rice and corn, where as Modoinding is know for its vegetables. Sangihe Talaud is recognized for its high quality nutmeg and Rumbia Trees (Sago Palm the source of a special flour for traditional cookies/snack).
North Sulawesi is also endowed with many lakes; Lake Tondano, Lake Mooat and Lake Limboto. The rivers like Ongkag Mongondow, Ongkag Dumoga, Sungai Sangkub, Randangan, Bulia, Bone and Paguyaman (in Bolaang Mongondow and Gorontalo) are utilized mostly for irrigation of the ricefields. The Tondano River is used to generate electrical power for Manado and Minahasa regions.
