Riau Archipelago
Description
Riau Archipelago with
Tanjung Pinang as the capital is blessed with a lot potential tourism
objects, beautiful beaches and cultural attractions.
Its
waters are the backyard of native seafaring nomads who fish and trade
for a living. Their traditional wooden sailing craft,s called 'pinisi'
still manage to pass the forested channels of these islands, along with
other indigenous craft,s fishing vessels and cargo ships. Tanjung Pinang
lies on the largest island of Bintan archipelago. Once known as Riau,
it was the heart of an ancient Malay kingdom. Today, Bintan is the
latest hot spot of development in Indonesia's surging economy.
A master plan is underway to turn it into a major tourist destination. Barely an hour away from Singapore by ferry, tourist accommodation begins to take advantage from its strategic location. It consists of Riau Archipelago, Natuna Islands and Anambas Archipelago. Originally part of Riau Province, Riau Archipelago was split off as a separate Province in July 2004 with Tanjung Pinang as its capital. Anambas Archipelago, located between mainland Malaysia and Borneo were attached to the new province. By population, the most important islands in this area are are Bintan, Batam and Karimun. Size wise, however, the sparsely populated Natuna Islands are larger.
Riau Archipelago with its thousands of island has plenty of scenic beaches and diving spots, among them Trikora on Bintan and Pasir Panjang on Rupat Island. The first is about 50 kilometers south of Tanjung Pinang on the eastern side of the island. Pasir Panjang, on the northern side of Rupat facing to Malacca Strait has natural beaches and they are also found on Terkulai and Soreh islands, about an hour's distance by boat from Tanjung Pinang. One of the most popular beaches is Nongsa on Batam Island. From here one can see the Singapore skyline.
Its
waters are the backyard of native seafaring nomads who fish and trade
for a living. Their traditional wooden sailing craft,s called 'pinisi'
still manage to pass the forested channels of these islands, along with
other indigenous craft,s fishing vessels and cargo ships. Tanjung Pinang
lies on the largest island of Bintan archipelago. Once known as Riau,
it was the heart of an ancient Malay kingdom. Today, Bintan is the
latest hot spot of development in Indonesia's surging economy.A master plan is underway to turn it into a major tourist destination. Barely an hour away from Singapore by ferry, tourist accommodation begins to take advantage from its strategic location. It consists of Riau Archipelago, Natuna Islands and Anambas Archipelago. Originally part of Riau Province, Riau Archipelago was split off as a separate Province in July 2004 with Tanjung Pinang as its capital. Anambas Archipelago, located between mainland Malaysia and Borneo were attached to the new province. By population, the most important islands in this area are are Bintan, Batam and Karimun. Size wise, however, the sparsely populated Natuna Islands are larger.
Riau Archipelago with its thousands of island has plenty of scenic beaches and diving spots, among them Trikora on Bintan and Pasir Panjang on Rupat Island. The first is about 50 kilometers south of Tanjung Pinang on the eastern side of the island. Pasir Panjang, on the northern side of Rupat facing to Malacca Strait has natural beaches and they are also found on Terkulai and Soreh islands, about an hour's distance by boat from Tanjung Pinang. One of the most popular beaches is Nongsa on Batam Island. From here one can see the Singapore skyline.
Batam
is one of the 3,000 islands, which make up the Riau Archipelago and is
closest to Singapore, which is only 20 km away or twenty minutes by
air-conditioned ferry. It has a rapid-growing population of around
100.000. As the island develops into a major industrial and tourist
area, it attracts an ever-increasing population from other Indonesian
islands who see Batam as a haven of opportunity. Once almost
uninhabited, save for a few scattered fishing communities, Batam's
history took a sharp turn beginning 1969, when it became support base
for the State-owned 'Pertamina oil company' and its offshore oil
exploration. In 1971 a presidential decree designated it as an
industrial area and in 1975 the Batam Authority was formed. In 1978
Batam was established as a bonded area.
In addition to the oil support industries of Batu Ampar and a fast growing electronics industry, Batam now attracts increasing numbers of tourists. Many come from Singapore for a short holiday with friends and family, duty-free shopping and great seafood. The visitors to Singapore hope over for a day or weekend trip.
In addition to the oil support industries of Batu Ampar and a fast growing electronics industry, Batam now attracts increasing numbers of tourists. Many come from Singapore for a short holiday with friends and family, duty-free shopping and great seafood. The visitors to Singapore hope over for a day or weekend trip.
International
standard hotels and numerous economy establishments cater to the
expanding demand for accommodation. Business, as they say, is booming.
An island two-thirds the size of Singapore, Batam progresses by leaps
and bounds. Where virgin jungle once stood are now whole new towns,
mosques, churches, temples and supermarkets, soon to be followed by
reservoirs with enough water to supply a population of 800,000 and for
industrial use, an airport-to become an international gateway ,a fine
telecommunication system, well equipped industrial parks and the
beginnings of a large new urban center.
History
From Sriwijaya era until the 16th
century, Riau was a part of greater Malay kingdoms or
sultanates, in the heart of what is often called the
'Malay World', which stretches from eastern Sumatra to
Borneo. The Malay-related Orang Laut tribes inhabited the
islands and formed the backbone of most Malay kingdoms
from Sriwijaya to the Sultanate of Johor for the control of trade
routes going through the straits. After the fall of Melaka in
1511, Riau islands became the center of political power
of the mighty Sultanate of Johor or Johor - Riau, based
on Bintan island, and were considered the center of Malay
culture.
But history changed the fate of Riau as a
political, cultural or economic center when European
powers struggled to control the regional trade routes and
took advantage of political weaknesses within the
sultanate. Singapore Island, that had been for centuries
part of the same greater Malay kingdoms and sultanates, and under
direct control of Sultan of Johor, came under British control.
The creation of a European-controlled territory in
Johor-Riau heart natural boundaries broke the sultanate
into two parts, destroying the cultural and political
unity that had existed for centuries. The Anglo-Dutch
treaty of 1824 consolidated this separation, with the
British controlling all territories north of the Singapore Strait
and Dutch controlling territories from Riau to Java.
After the European powers withdrew from the region, the new independent governments had to reorganize and find balance after inheriting 400 years of colonial boundaries. Before finding their current status, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Borneo territories struggled and even came into military conflict against each other, and Riau islands once again found themselves in the middle of regional struggle. But the once strong cultural unity of the region with Riau never returned, and the line drawn by the British in 1819 remained, this time marking the divide between three new countries as of 1965: Singapore, the Malaysian federation in the north and Indonesia in the south. These new countries, however, recreated unity in Riau world for the first time after 150 years with the creation of the Sijori Growth Triangle.
After the European powers withdrew from the region, the new independent governments had to reorganize and find balance after inheriting 400 years of colonial boundaries. Before finding their current status, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Borneo territories struggled and even came into military conflict against each other, and Riau islands once again found themselves in the middle of regional struggle. But the once strong cultural unity of the region with Riau never returned, and the line drawn by the British in 1819 remained, this time marking the divide between three new countries as of 1965: Singapore, the Malaysian federation in the north and Indonesia in the south. These new countries, however, recreated unity in Riau world for the first time after 150 years with the creation of the Sijori Growth Triangle.
But while bringing back
some economical wealth to Riau, the Sijori Growth
Triangle somewhat broke the cultural unity within the
islands. With Batam island receiving most of the
industrial investments and dramatically developing into a regional
industrial center, it attracted hundred of thousands of
non-Malay Indonesian migrants, changing forever the
demographic balance in the archipelago.
Today
the name of Riau merely refers to this administrative
region of Indonesia, a free trade zone heavily supported by Indonesian,
Singaporean and international investments.
Entry
People & Culture
Cuisine
BATAM ISLAND
Batu Merah Seafood
(Indonesian food)
Batu Merah, Batam Island
Phone: (0778) 468610
Indonesia Delight
Jl. R. E. Martadinata,
Sekupang
Phone: (0778) 321276
King Prawn Restaurant
Jl. Pembangunan II,
Komp. Batama
Phone: (0778) 467920
Shangri-La Food Restaurant
Jl. RE. Martadinata, Sekupang
Phone: (0778) 321276
King's International
Jl. Lubuk Baja 1/10 Nagoya
Phone : (0778) 468706
Lamarnina
Jl. Raja Ali Haji
Phone: (0778) 468707
Tunas Baru (Chinese food)
Lubuk Baja Blok E/42, Batam
Phone: 68498
TANJUNG PINANG
Fast food Indonesia
Teuku Umar Street 88
Phone: (0771) 318185
Gerai Selera Rasa Restaurant
Tugu Pahlawan Street 217
Phone: (0771) 22379
Kelong Sangrila Restaurant
Sei Jang Street
Phone: (0771) 312838
Adem Ayem Restaurant
Sukarno Hatta Street 3
Phone: (0771) 317559
Bali Restaurant
Jend Basuki Rahmat Street 2
Phone: (0771) 317295
CGA Restaurant
Pemuda Street 1
Phone: (0771) 316761
TANJUNG BALAI KARIMUN
Tanjung Balai Karimun
Golden Lion Restaurant
Nusantara Street
Phone: (0777) 31331
Lai Xing Restaurant
Pegadaian Street
Phone: (0777) 22288
Cippes Restaurant
Pramuka Street
Phone: (0777) 328288
Do & Me Fried Chicken
Nusantara Street 48
Phone: (0777) 324045
Brother One Restaurant
Trikora Street 19
Phone: (0777) 324313
Empat Lima Restaurant
Baru Meral Market
Phone: (0777) 328165
Moro Jaya Restaurant
Kampung Tgh Street
Phone: (0777) 511254
Elok Saiyo Restaurant
Ksatria Street 2
Phone: (0777) 324132
178 Restaurant
Trikora Street
Phone: (0777) 31478
Aur Duri Restaurant
Dr Setiabudi Street
Phone: (0777) 323825
Batang Imang Restaurant
Kom L Yos Sudarso Street
Phone: (0777) 326622
Bengawan Solo Restaurant
Dr Setiabudi Street
Phone: (0777) 31469
Moeslim Food
Nusantara Street 50
Phone: (0777) 21403
TANJUNG UBAN
Bakso Bina Ria
Permaisuri Street
Phone: (0771) 81462
Ibu Padang
Tamansari Street
Phone: (0771) 82353
Niki Mawon & Karaoke Restaurant
RE Martadinata Street
Phone: (0771) 482490
Minang Jaya
Merdeka Street
Phone: (0771) 81203
Tourism Office
Phone/Fax (62-771) 443377
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