Geography Natuna Islands

the natuna islands have rich diversity of birds, although some, green iora threatened habitat loss

the natuna islands 272-island archipelago of indonesia, located in natuna sea between peninsular malaysia west , borneo east. extend in nnw direction 300 km tanjung api, northwest extremity of kalimantan/borneo. natuna sea section of south china sea.

the north group consists of large island (pulau laut), 2 small islands , several adjacent islets , reefs lie 50 km nnw of natuna besar island. pulau laut 11 km long greatest width of 5 km towards south; hilly, rising 273 metres near north end.

the middle group consists of natuna besar island, contains bulk of area , population of archipelago, small offshore islets , reefs; bodas islands (kepulauan bodas) group of moderately high wooded islands lying close southwest coast of natuna besar.

the southern group (kepulauan natuna selatan) consists of 2 groups of islands separated coast of kalimantan api passage. subi islands (kepulauan subi) of main islands subi besar, subi kecil, bakau, panjang , seraya, lie southeast of natuna besar. serasan island (pulau serasan) largest of islands lying further southeast , nearer kalimantan.

natural resources

natuna has large reserves of natural gas (estimated 1.3 billion m) exported neighbouring countries such singapore. matak island serves offshore exploitation base.

ecology

the natuna islands have remarkable avifauna 71 species of bird registered, including near-threatened lesser fish-eagle, natuna serpent-eagle. other endangered species include green iora, brown fulvetta or green broadbill.

colourful coral reefs found in neighbouring waters. natuna banded leaf monkey, presbytis natunae, among 25 endangered primates on earth.