Ambon, Indonesia

Capital City

The population of 372,249 may seem modest, but Ambon is no sleepy backwater. This city on the Maluku Islands has seen its share of unrest, with sectarian conflicts raging between 1999 and 2002. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the climate is unrelentingly tropical, with over 600mm of rain per month during the wettest periods. However, Ambon's status as Indonesia's "music city" and its recent UNESCO City of Music designation suggest an eclectic, vibrant cultural scene. For those seeking an off-the-beaten-path Indonesian experience, Ambon could be an intriguing, if challenging, choice.