Natuna Besar Explained

Bunguran Island
Native Name:(Pulau Bunguran)
Nickname:-->
Map:Indonesia Riau Islands#Indonesia Sumatra#Indonesia#South China Sea
Map Width:280
Label:Natuna Besar
Coordinates:3.9166°N 108.202°W
Location:South China Sea
Archipelago:Bunguran Islands
Area Km2:1633
Length Km:58
Length M:-->
Width M:-->
Coastline Km:359
Elevation M:835
Country:Indonesia
Country Admin Divisions Title:Province
Country Admin Divisions:Riau Islands
Country Admin Divisions Title 1:Regency
Country Admin Divisions 1:Natuna Islands
Country Largest City Type:town
Country Largest City:Ranai
Country Area M2:or
Country Area Ha:-->
Country 1 Area M2:or
Country 1 Area Ha:-->
Population:58,820
Population As Of:2023
Density Km2:36
Ethnic Groups:Malays

Bunguran Island or just Bunguran is the main island of the Middle Natuna Archipelago, which is part of the Riau Islands Province in Indonesia. It is also called Great Natuna Island (Pulau Natuna Besar).

The area of Bunguran is with a coastline of .[1] The highest point is Mount Ranai at 1035m (3,396feet). The island had a population of 58,820 inhabitants according to the official estimate for mid 2023. The principal settlement is Ranai. The island can be reached by scheduled air services via Ranai Airport.

The island is home to three species of non-human primates: the slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), and the Natuna leaf monkey (a.k.a. Natuna pale-thighed surili, Presbytis natunae).[2] [3] A small number of wild goats live on the island as well as sea birds. Over 360 species of bird have been recorded on the island.[4]

There is a large mosque in the north-east corner of the island. The Grand Mosque of Natuna was built over two years from 2007 to 2009.[5]

On December 18, 2018, Indonesian Armed Forces opened a naval military base with over 1,000 personnels on Bunguran Island.[6]

Bunguran has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with heavy rainfall year-round.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Natuna Besar . 7 August 2024.
  2. Lammertink, Nijman, and Setiorini, 2003. Oryx 37(4):472-479
  3. Brandon-Jones et al. 2004. Asian Primate Classification. International Journal of Primatology 25(1):97-164.
  4. Web site: Lepage . Denis . Natuna Besar . Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World . 2018 . 10 September 2018.
  5. Web site: 2018-10-27 . Kunker ke Natuna, Pangkoarmada I Tinjau Berbagai Fasilitas TNI AL . 2023-11-26 . Lintas Kepri . id.
  6. Web site: Indonesia opens military base near disputed South China Sea . December 19, 2018 . ABS CBN News .