Spice Islands - Location

The Spice Islands - an archipelago also known as the Moluccas (and the Maluku Islands) - are part of Indonesia.  Volcanic-originating, these islands are mountainous and fertile.  The climate is humid and beneficial for the growth of spices such as nutmeg and cloves (which are endemic to the area). 

Because of the enormous value of spices, European countries fought for control of the Moluccas during the colonial period.