Bangka Island

Bangka Island is one of the island belong to Bangka-Belitung Province. The name Bangka is derived from the word ''Wangka'' which means ''tin''. Bangka lies east of Sumatra. Pangkal Pinang is the largest town and the capital of Bangka Belitung, and Sungailiat is the second large city in Bangka Island.

While, Muntok is the principal port.

This Island population is approximately 600 thousand people; consist of different ethnic groups, which come from all part of Indonesia. Accountings for 30% of Bangka population, 66% of Bangka people still depend of farming, other descendants of the tin mining company worker, fishing and other activities. The best product from Bangka Island is "BANKATIN", which has a worldwide reputation amongst tin consumers as standard tin or grade "A" tin. The other important products of the island are rubber and pepper. Sepintu Sedulang dance performed to welcome distinguished guests, the dance describes the open-hearted character of Bangkanese people, it is also performed during festivals occasions, other dance is Lion dance, it is performed to chase away evil spirits, some dancers being under a magicians influence go into a trance.

Geographically

The province is surrounded by South China Sea, Bangka straights and Java Sea. Bangka lies just east of Sumatra, separated by Bangka Strait. The marine environment around these islands is colorful. Bangka Island, which is situated at the Southern of the China Sea, it's between Sumatra and Borneo Island. There are many beautiful beaches located in the Northwest of Bangka Island. This Island is bordered by:

North Side: Natuna Sea
East side: Natuna Sea
South side: Pangkalpinang town and Bangka Tengah Regency
West side: Bangka Barat Regency, Bangka Strait and Kelabat Bay

Demographics

The majority of the inhabitants are Malay Indonesians and Chinese mostly Hakkas. The average humidity is approximately 80 %.

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Belitung Island

Belitung is an Island in South East Asia, a part of Nation archipelago. Belitung is ruled by Indonesia since 1950 and became a district of South Sumatra province. On November 21st, 2000, Belitung and Bangka Island has been approved to become the 31st province of Indonesia separated from South Sumatra. This new province is called ‘Kepulauan Bangka Belitung’ province. This Island is placed at 107o 35' - 108o 18' Latitude and 2o 30' - 3o 15' Longitude.

The length of the diameter from East to West is about 79 km and North to South about 77 km. The total land is 480.060 hectares with 189 small islands surround Belitung. Some of them are quite big with a couple of villages. They are Mendanau Island, Seliu Island, Nadu Island and Batu Dinding Island. Most of Belitung population is come of Melayu ethnic and most of them are Moslem. There are some other ethnics likes Chinese, Javanese, Balinese and some people from Sumatra like Palembang, Minang and Batak. Belitung regency consists of 9 districts and 69 villages. The capital of Belitung is Tanjungpandan, which stay at North West of this Island. The other large towns are Manggar, Gantung, Kelapa Kampit and Sijuk. The main resources, which also become the main product of Belitung Island, are tin mining, kaolin, quartz sands, and granite rock. The plantation are mainly palm oil, pepper, coconut, coffee, natural rubber, and vegetable.

If seen from its tourism sector, Belitung is an island with beautiful beaches, the unique landscape with its purely white sand, and the crystal clear seawater. Belitung is also popular with its granite boulder white stones beach in Tanjung Tinggi, Tanjung Kelayang, Tanjung Binga dan Lengkuas Island. This beautiful nature is also accompanied by hundreds of small islands, which add the beautiful tourism area in Belitung Island. Belitung Island is one of the best and unique beaches own in Indonesia.

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Bantimurung

To the north of Ujung Pandang and driving east along the mountain range, is the Bantimurung waterfall, about 41 km from the capital. A cascade of sparkling water gushes out between rocky cliffs into a stream shaded by tall trees. Here the air is filled with butterflies, which fly from shrub to shrub over the water. These rare brightly colored ornithoid butterflies are considered the most beautiful in the world.

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Malino

Formerly the holiday resort of the kings. Malino, which is 70 km from Ujung Pandang offers a heaven from city-life. Located on the slopes of Mt. Bawakaraeng it has a cool climate with forests of pine trees making it picturesque. Deer hunting on horseback was a royal sport in the days gone by. Beside that, Malino also produce some fruits and vegetables, which grew on the Moun Bawakaraeng's slope. Some of South Sulawesi people had sacred this mount.

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SUAYA

The graveyard lies on one of the hillsides. It is carved as the resting place of the kings and king's family; in conform to the Toraja King dresses, placed in front of stone grave. There are some stone steps to reach the hill, where the kings had their contemplation during their life. A museum will be built in this place to keep the property of King Sangalla.

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You will find white sandy beaches at Bira, 178 km from Ujung Pandang to the south. Traditional shipbuilding is also located in this area. Not far from this area visitors can cross to Selayar Island.

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