A tiny set of islands between Celebes and New Guinea, to the northeast of Indonesia, are known as the Spice Islands (Malaku, or the Moluccas). The Aru and Kai island groupings are among them, along with Halmahera (the largest), Seram, Buru, Ambon, Ternate, and Tidore. The nutmeg, mace, and cloves that were only found on the islands gave them their nickname, "Spice Islands," and their presence in the sixteenth century spurred colonial interest from Europe.