Natuna Islands
| Natuna Islands Kepulauan Natuna | |
|---|---|
| Islands and Regency | |
 | |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Province | Riau Islands |
| Capital | Ranai, Indonesia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,992.79 km2 (769.42 sq mi) |
| Population (2010 Census) | |
| • Total | 69,319 |
| • Density | 35/km2 (90/sq mi) |
| Time zone | WIB (UTC+7) |
| Website | http://www.natunakab.go.id/ |
The Natuna Islands archipelago (272 islands) is located in the South China Sea in the larger Tudjuh Archipelago, off the northwest coast of Borneo. The islands administratively form (including the nearby Bunguran Islands) a regency within the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia and are the northernmost non-disputed island group of Indonesia. The Natuna Islands themselves are divided into three groups: North Natuna, which includes Laut Island (Pulau Laut); Middle Natuna, which includes Bunguran (or Natuna Besar); and South Natuna, which includes Subi Besar.
Administration
The Regency is divided into twelve districts (kecamatan) - tabulated below with their 2010 Census population:[1]
| Name | Population Census 2010[2] |
|---|---|
| Midai | 5,007 |
| Bunguran Barat (West Bunguran) | 10,893 |
| Bunguran Utara (North Bunguran) | 3,817 |
| Pulau Laut | 2,169 |
| Pulau Tiga | 4,826 |
| Bunguran Timur (East Bunguran) | 22,800 |
| Bunguran Timur Laut (Northeast Bunguran) | 4,306 |
| Bunguran Tengah (Central Bunguran) | 2,834 |
| Bunguran Selatan (South Bunguran) | 2,537 |
| Serasan | 4,506 |
| Subi | 2,577 |
| Serasan Timur (East Serasan) | 2,731 |
Economy
Despite important natural gas reserves, most of the locals work as fishermen or farmers. There is no significant tourism industry.
Geography
The Natuna Islands are a 272-island archipelago of Indonesia, located in the Natuna Sea between Peninsular Malaysia to the west and Borneo to the east. The Natuna Sea itself is a section of the South China Sea.
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.
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 Silvery 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. The Natuna Banded Leaf Monkey, Presbytis natunae, is among[3] the 25 most endangered primates on Earth.
See also
- Anambas Islands
- Badas Islands
- Tambelan archipelago
Further reading
- National Geospatial-intelligence Agency (2005) "Borneo: Northwest Coast and Kepulauan Tudjuh" Sailing directions (enroute): Borneo, Jawa, Sulawesi, and Nusa Tenggara United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
References
- ↑ Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
- ↑ Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
- ↑ Martjan Lammertink, Vincent Nijman and Utami Setiorini, "Population size, Red List status and conservation of the Natuna leaf monkey Presbytis natunae endemic to the island of Bunguran, Indonesia." Oryx / Volume 37 / Issue 04 / Oktober 2003, pp 472 - 479
Coordinates: 4°00′N 108°15′E / 4.000°N 108.250°E
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