The Natuna Islands are a 272-island archipelago of Indonesia, located in the Natuna Sea between east and west Malaysia, Kalimantan and Singapore. The islands are officially part of the Riau Islands province but the zone is also claimed by China, with respect to historical evidences. Natuna is the northernmost island group of Indonesia.
Main islands of the Natuna are: Anambas, Natuna, South Natuna and Tambelan. The Anambas group comprises chiefly Terempa island, Matak island and Jemaja Andriabu island. The South Natuna group comprises the islands of Serasan, Panjang and Subi.
Population
The population is around 90,000.
Natural resource
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.
Economy
Despite important gas reserves, most of the locals work as fishermen or farmers.
There is no real tourism industry.
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 endemic Silvery Wood-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. Turtles often deposit eggs in the warm sand at beaches in the Tambelan Islands. Natuna Banded Leaf Monkey is among the 25 most endangered primates on Earth.
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