Rote Island

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Satellite photo of Roti

Map of the islands of East Nusa Tenggara, including Rote.

Rote Island (Indonesian: Pulau Rote, also spelled Roti) is an island of Indonesia, part of the East Nusa Tenggara province of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The uninhabited Dana Island (also called Ndana), just south of Rote is the southernmost island of Indonesia. It has an area of 1200 km². It lies 500 km northeast of the Australian coast and 170 km northeast of the Ashmore and Cartier Islands. The island is situated to the southwest of the larger island of Timor. To the north is the Savu Sea, and to the south is the Timor Sea. To the west is Savu and Sumba. Along with some other nearby small islands, such as Ndao, it forms the kabupaten (regency) of Roti Ndao, which in 2005 held an estimated population of 108,615.

The main town, called Ba'a, is located in the north of the island. It has a good surf area in the south around the village of Nembralla. There is a daily ferry to the island from Kupang, the provincial capital on West Timor, which brings tourists.

Agriculture is the main form of employment. Fishing is also important, especially in the eastern village of Papela, which has led to disputes with Australia over the water between them.^[1]

[edit] Gallery

Town Market in Ba'a, Rote

the Beach on Nusa Manuk (Manuk Island), Sth West Rote

the Raja of West Rote on Ndana Island in 2007

A Rotenese drummer with Traditional Hat

[edit] References

^ Jill Elliott, 1996, "Fishing in Australian Waters," Inside Indonesia vol. 46 http://www.insideindonesia.org/edit46/elliott.htm; Richard Tanter, 2000, "After fear, before justice: Indonesia and Australia over the long haul, as if ethics mattered." Inside Indonesia vol. 61 http://www.insideindonesia.org/edit61/richard.htm