Sulawesi is the world 's eleventh-largest island , covering an area of 174,600 km2 . The island is surrounded by Borneo to the west , by the Philippines to the north , by Maluku to the east , and by Flores and Timor to the south . Sulawesi is the world 's eleventh-largest island , covering an area of 174600 k. The island is surrounded by Borneo to the west , by the Philippines to the north , by Maluku to the east , and by Flores and Timor to the south .