[2] The island, which forms two districts (Pulau Makian and Makian Barat) within South Halmahera Regency of North Maluku Province, covers an area of 91.04 sq.km, and had a population of 12,394 at the 2010 Census,[3] which rose to 14,000 at the 2020 Census.

[5] Makian Island District (Kecamatan Pulau Makian) occupies the eastern 61% of the island and consists of the 15 villages (desa) of Dalam, Dauri, Gitang, Gorup, Gurua, Kyowor, Matentengin, Ploili, Rabutdaiyo, Sangapati, Suma, Waigitang, Wailoa, Walo and Waykion.

The island is 10 kilometres (6 miles) wide, and its 1,357-metre (4,452-foot) high summit consists of a large 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) wide crater, with a small lake on its Northeast side.

Makian volcano has had infrequent, but violent eruptions that destroyed villages on the island.

[7] The eruptions of July 19, 1646, September 22, 1760 and December 28, 1861 are rated 4 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index.