length of the northern coastline. The Sape Strait lies to the east of the island and separates Sumbawa from Flores and the Komodo Islands, there are a number bays and gulfs, most notably Bima Bay, Cempi Bay, and Waworada Bay. Sumbawa's most distinguishing features are Saleh Bay and the Sanggar Peninsula. On the latter stands Mount Tambora (8°14’41”S, 117°59’35”E), a large stratovolcano famous for its VEI 7 eruption in 1815, one of only a few eruptions of such magnitude in the last 2,000 years. The eruption obliterated most of Tambora's summit, reducing its height by about a third and leaving a six kilometer-wide caldera. Regardless, Tambora remains the highest point on the island. Highlands rise in four spots on the island, as well as on Sangeang Island. The large western lobe of Sumbawa is dominated by a large central highland, and Tambora, Dompu and Bima each have more minor highlands. There are a number of large surrounding islands, most notably are Moyo Island, volcanically active Sangeang Island, and the tourist Komodo Islands (administered under Flores) to the east. Sumbawa is part of the Lesser Sundas deciduous forests ecoregion. List of offshore islands There are a number of smaller offshore islands which fall within the regencies based on Sumbawa Island: West Sumbawa Regency Susait Dua Belang Songi Ular Kenawa Natano Sumbawa Besar Regency Panjang Island Saringi Kemudang Ayer Tawat Romo Medang Island Saleh Bay, Sumbawa Besar Regency Moyo Island Dangar Besar Liang Ngali Tengar Kelapang Dompo Takebo Paming Lipa Rakit Dompu Regency P. Besar P. Nisa Pudu P. Nisa Rate Bima Regency, Tambora Peninsula exclave Satonda Island Bima Regency Sangeang Island Sanai Island Matagate Island Banta Island Economy Many of the island residents are at risk of starvation when crops fail due to lack of rainfall. The majority of the population works in agriculture. Tourism is just beginning, with a few surf spots renowned for being world class, Jelenga and Supersuck Beaches near the mine, as well as Hu'u and Lakey Beach in the Gulf of Cempi. Newmont Mine A large gold and copper mine, Newmont Mining Corporation's Batu Hijau mine began commercial operations in 2000, a decade after the copper and gold were discovered. Newmont holds a 45% stake in the operation through its shareholding in PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara. A local unit of Japan's Sumitomo Corporation has a 35% share. The mine is located in southwest Sumbawa. Due to