a group of islands in the Malay Archipelago, between Sulawesi (Celebes) and New Guinea. Capital: Amboina. Pop: 1 990 598 (2000). Area: about 74 505 sq km (28 766 sq miles)
Indonesian name: Maluku. Former name: Spice Islands
Moluccas in American English
(moʊˈlʌkəz; məˈlʌkəz)
group of islands of Indonesia, between Sulawesi & New Guinea: 28,767 sq mi (74,506 sq km); pop. 1,742,000