Anambas Islands Regency
Anambas Islands Regency (Indonesian: Kabupaten Kepulauan Anambas) is a small archipelago of Indonesia, located 150 nautical miles (278 km; 173 mi) northeast of Batam Island in the North Natuna Sea between the Malaysian mainland to the west and the island of Borneo to the east. Geographically part of the Tudjuh Archipelago, it is administratively a regency within the Riau Islands Province. It covers a land area of 590.2 square kilometres (227.9 sq mi) and had a population of 37,411 at the 2010 Census.[1] The administrative centre is at Tarempa on Siantan Island.
Anambas Islands Regency
Kabupaten Kepulauan Anambas | |
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Anambas Islands seen from far | |
Coat of arms | |
Location within Riau Islands | |
Anambas Islands Regency Anambas Islands Regency Anambas Islands Regency (South China Sea) Anambas Islands Regency Anambas Islands Regency (Indonesia) | |
Coordinates: 3°6′N 105°40′E | |
Country | Indonesia |
Province | Riau Islands |
Regency seat | Tarempa |
Government | |
• Regent | Abdul Haris |
• Vice Regent | Wan Zuhendra |
Area | |
• Total | 590.2 km2 (227.9 sq mi) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 37,493 |
• Density | 64/km2 (160/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+7 (Indonesia Western Time) |
Postcodes | 297xx |
Area code | (+62) 773 |
Website | anambaskab.go.id |
Islands
Main islands
The principal islands are Siantan (on which is situated the main town of Tarempa), Matak, Mubur, Jemaja and Kiabu (Airbiru).
Matak island
The Anambas archipelago contains a large reserve of natural gas that is exported to countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. The island of Matak is the main base for oil exploration.
Pulau Bawah
Pulau Bawah, formerly known as Leeward island, is a clustered archipelago of six islands with an exclusive resort accessed by the seaplane. It is located about 150 nautical miles northeast of Singapore and Batam, is a cluster of islets that collectively surround three lagoons, each of which suitable for snorkelling, scubadiving and coral beach activities.[2] CNN rates the Anambas Islands are one of Southeast Asia's most spectacular coastal spots, with good snorkelling and diving spots, and Pulau Bawah in particular has good tourism potential.[3]
Whilst the majority of the population generates their income from fishing and fishing-related industries, tourism has been gaining traction. Hostel and hotel rooms are available in Jemaja and Tarempa, along with some homestay locations.
Diving
The shipwrecked vessels Seven Skies and Igara attract a variety of indigenous marine life and offer diving opportunities.[4]
Administration
The Regency is divided into seven districts (kecamatan) - tabulated below with their areas and 2010 Census populations:[5]
Name | English name | Area in km2 | Population 2010 Census[5] | No. of Villages | Post Code |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jemaja | 78.9 | 5,621 | 9 | 29792 | |
Jemaja Timur | (East Jemaja) | 155.3 | 2,028 | 4 | 29793 |
Siantan Selatan | (South Siantan) | 117.1 | 3,177 | 7 | 29790 |
Siantan | 50.8 | 9,920 | 7 | 29791 | |
Siantan Timur | (East Siantan) | 88.3 | 3,290 | 6 | 29794 |
Siantan Tengah1 | (Central Siantan) | 21.1 | 2,755 | 6 | 29795 |
Pal Matak2 | 126.0 | 10,620 | 15 | 29796 |
Notes:
- 1 Notwithstanding the district name, this is situated on Matak Island.
- 2 Comprising most of Matak Island and all of Mubur Island, plus nearly small islands.
References
- Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 20911.
- Island cruises
- Pulau Bawah
- Macguire, Eoghan (17 April 2012). "Asia's top five tropical island paradises". CNN. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
External links
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Anambas. |
- 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
- "Natuna Islands (includes Anambas)". IndonesiaPhoto.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2005.
- Website all things about Anambas "Virtual Journey to Anambas"
- Pulau Bawah website
- Pulau Bawah (formerly Leeward Islands) map
- Islas ANAMBAS (Spanish)