Kangean Islands

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The Kangean Islands (Indonesian: Kepulauan Kangean) are an archipelago part of Indonesia, are located in the Java Sea approximately 120 km (75 miles) north of Bali and 120 km east of Madura Island. The islands are a part of East Java province.

The largest island, at about 490 km², is Kangean Island. Other islands include Paliat, Sepanjang, and several smaller islands. The towns of Pabean and Arjasa, both on Kangean Island, are the area's largest population centres. The islands have strong historic and ethnic ties with Madura; most residents are ethnically Madurese.

There is a Kangean language.

Since 1993 the islands have been the site of substantial natural gas mining. The natural gas fields were first discovered and developed by the United States corporation ARCO, which became a subsidiary of BP in 2000. In mid-2004, BP sold its Kangean holdings to an Indonesian corporation, PT Energi Mega Persada. The islands are connected to East Java via a 430 km pipeline, most of which runs underwater.

Other economic activities on the islands include teak, coconut, and salt production.

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