Natuna Sea

Natuna Sea (Indonesian: Laut Natuna) is an extensive shallow sea located around Natuna Islands extended south to Lingga and Tambelan Archipelago in Riau Islands province, further south of Bangka Belitung Islands, Indonesia.[1] Most of the sea is located within Indonesian territorial waters, and geologically is the part of Sunda Shelf. This sea is bordering South China Sea to the north and northeast, Karimata Strait to the southeast, and Strait of Singapore to the west.[2][3]

Previously, this part of sea was considered as a part of South China Sea. However, in 1986 the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) officially recognizes the Natuna Sea, which extends south from the Natuna and Anambas Islands to the Belitung Islands.[4][1]

Extent

The Natuna Sea surrounding the Riau Islands province

The chains of Anambas and Natuna Islands created arch that connects southeastern tip of Malay peninsula to western tip of Borneo. This creates the northern boundary of Natuna Sea. While on the south, the southeast coast of Sumatra, the Lingga Islands, Bangka and Belitung islands creates its southern boundary and its opening to Karimata Strait and Java Sea.

Geography

Just like South China Sea, Natuna Sea is a marginal part of Pacific. Natuna sea contains numbers of archipelagos, including:

All of these archipelagos are administrated within Riau Islands province.

North Natuna Sea

In July 2017, Indonesia renamed the northern reaches of its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea as the "North Natuna Sea", which is located north of Indonesian Natuna Islands, bordering southern Vietnam exclusive economic zone.[5] The North Natuna Sea located between Natuna Islands and Cape Cà Mau on the southern tip of Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

References

  1. 1 2 "Limits of Ocean and Seas" (PDF). International Hydrographic Organization. p. 108-109.
  2. ↑ Natuna Sea and Sarawak Basin
  3. ↑ "Natuna Sea". The Diplomat.
  4. ↑ "Indonesia Renames Its Portion of the S. China Sea". The Maritime Executive. 14 July 2017.
  5. ↑ Tom Allard; Bernadette Christina Munthe (14 July 2017). "Asserting sovereignty, Indonesia renames part of South China Sea". Reuters.
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