Missionaries in the Spice Islands

The archipelago of Moluccas was historically known as the 'Spice Islands' and became an important part of the Portuguese trade network in Southeast Asia during the 16th century. After their expulsion from Ternete, the Portuguese established their new center of trade on the island of Ambon, which had been discovered in 1513. Though the Portuguese were regularly attacked by native Muslims in the region, missionaries managed to convert a large number of natives. By the end of the 16th century there were more than 50.000 Christians in the Moluccas, most of them living on Ambon.