Makassar Strait

a strait between Borneo and Sulawesi (Celebes): naval engagement between the Allied and the Japanese 1942.

Also, Makasar Strait, Macassar Strait.

* * *

Narrow passage of the west-central Pacific Ocean, Indonesia.

Located between Borneo and Celebes (Sulawesi), it connects the Celebes Sea to the Java Sea. It is 500 mi (800 km) long and 80–230 mi (130–370 km) wide. It contains numerous islands, the largest of which are Laut and Sebuku. In 1942, during World War II, it was the scene of naval and air battles as the Allies tried to prevent the Japanese from occupying Borneo.

* * *

▪ strait, Indonesia

also spelled  Macassar Strait , Indonesian  Selat Makassar 

      narrow passage of the west-central Pacific Ocean, Indonesia. Extending 500 miles (800 km) northeast–southwest from the Celebes Sea to the Java Sea, the strait passes between Borneo on the west and Celebes on the east and is 80 to 230 miles (130 to 370 km) wide. It is a deep waterway containing numerous islands, the largest of which are Laut Island and Sebuku. Balikpapan is the principal settlement along the strait on Borneo, and Makassar (Ujungpandang) is the largest on Celebes. In January 1942, during World War II, combined U.S. and Dutch military forces engaged a Japanese naval expedition in the strait. In five days of fighting, the Allies were unable to prevent a Japanese landing at Balikpapan, the first step taken in the occupation of Dutch Borneo.

* * *