Antique photograph of the Banda Neira Nutmeg Islands, a volcanic group of ten small volcanic islands in the Banda Sea. Until the mid-19th century the Banda Islands were the world's only source of the spices nutmeg and mace, produced from the nutmeg tree. The islands are also popular destinations for scuba diving and snorkeling. The main town and administrative centre is Bandanaira, located on the island of the same name.