Natuna Islands
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Natuna Islands archipelago (272 islands) is located in the Natuna Sea. The islands are officially part of the Riau Islands province of Indonesia and it is the northernmost non-disputed island groups of Indonesia. Main islands include archipelagoes of Natuna Besar, South Natuna archipelago and Tambelan archipelago, the last consisting of Badas Islands.
The South Natuna group comprises the islands of Serasan, Panjang and Subi. The Anambas archipelago, located several hundred kilometers to the west and comprising Terempa, Matak and Jemaja Andriabu island, are also sometimes included in the Natuna Islands.
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[edit] Population
The population is around 100,000.
[edit] Economy
Despite important natural gas reserves, most of the locals work as fishermen or farmers. There is no significant tourism industry.
[edit] Geography
The Natuna Islands are a 272-island archipelago of Indonesia, located in the Natuna Sea between east and west Malaysia and Kalimantan. The Natuna Sea itself is a section of the South China Sea.
[edit] Natural resources
Natuna has large reserves of natural gas (estimated to 1.3 billion m³) that is exported to neighboring countries such as Singapore. Matak Island now serves as an offshore exploitation base.
[edit] Ecology
The Natuna Islands have a remarkable avifauna with 71 species of bird registered, including the near-threatened Lesser Fish-eagle, the Natuna Serpent-eagle or the rare endemic Silvery Wood-Pigeon. Among other species endangered species, we find the Green Iora, the Brown Fulvetta or the Green Broadbill.
Colorful coral reef is found in the neighboring waters. Turtles often deposit eggs in the warm sand at beaches in the Tambelan Islands. Natuna Banded Leaf Monkey is among the 25 most endangered primates on Earth.
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