Natuna Regency

KRI Teuku Umar (385) one of Indonesian Navy ships tasked on Natuna Sea.

Indonesia's EEZ extends 200 nautical miles (370 km) from its shores, which around Natuna means it is slightly intersected by China's Nine-Dash Line, defining its widely disputed claim to most of the South China Sea. In 2014–2015, the presence of the Indonesian National Armed Forces on the islands was reinforced, which the Indonesian government hoped would reduce the chance of any conflict.[3] Then from late 2019, Chinese fishing vessels increased illegal activity within the EEZ, escorted by a Chinese Coast Guard vessel. Indonesia responded with a formal diplomatic protest to Beijing[5] and then deployed to the region a further 600 troops and eight navy warships, along with aerial support. The naval presence included Ahmad Yani-class frigates, Bung Tomo-class corvettes, and Kapitan Pattimura-class ASW corvettes, while aerial support came from Naval Aviation CN-235 MPA aircraft, four Indonesian Air Force F-16s and a Boeing 737-2x9, with BAE Hawk aircraft nearby on alert. A visit to the area by President Joko Widodo in early January reinforced Indonesia's resolve not to tolerate such incursions.[6]

According to statistics released in 2010, the population of the islands stood at 69,003 people. 85.27% of the inhabitants were Malays, with the remainder consisting of Javanese, Sumatrans and Chinese. By January 2014, the population was officially estimated to be 83,498 and by mid-2019 this had grown to 89,498.

Islam is the dominant religion in the islands,[8] with 96.97% of the total population identify themselves as Muslim. Other religions are Christianity, which forms 1.66% of the total population, Buddhism, which forms 1.23% of the total population, and Confucianism, which forms 0.14% of the total population. There is the largest mosque in the north-east corner of the islands. The Masjid Agung Natuna was built over two years from 2007 to 2009, where can at least visited by 10.000 visitors every day.

Natuna has large reserves of natural gas (estimated to 1.3 billion m³) that is exported to neighbouring countries such as Singapore. Matak Island now serves as an offshore exploitation base.

The Natuna Islands are part of the Borneo lowland rain forests ecoregion.[11]

The Natuna Islands have a remarkable avifauna with 71 species of bird registered, including the near-threatened lesser fish eagle, the Natuna serpent-eagle. Other endangered species include the green iora, the brown fulvetta or the green broadbill.[12]

The Natuna Islands 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).[13][14] 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.[15]

Colourful coral reefs are found in the neighbouring waters. The Natuna banded leaf monkey, Presbytis natunae, is among[16] the 25 most endangered primates on Earth.

The Military harbour was head-quartered on Teuku Umar where Navy ships tasked on Natuna Sea. Raden Sadjad Airport or Natuna Airport is located at Ranai, the capital city of Natuna Regency. The airport is also a Type B airbase of the Indonesian Air Force.[17] Other than that, the airport also serves civilian flights. The airport also accommodate large military aircraft.[18]

A new passenger terminal opened in October 2016, inaugurated by President Joko Widodo.[19][20]

The airport resides at an elevation of 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 18/36 with an asphalt surface measuring 2,560 m x 32 m (8,399 ft × 105 ft). The runway is planned to be widened to 80 m in 2020. Moreover, the airport has an apron measuring 120 m x 60 m and a taxiway measuring 50 m x 32 m.[21]

The recently built terminal at the airport has an area of 3,868 m², many times larger than the old terminal which only has an area of 243 m². The new terminal can accommodate around 13850 passengers daily.[22] The parking lot has been expanded to 5.020 m² and can now cater to around 3.940 cars and 750 motorcycles. Other facilities inside the airport are the Aviation Accidents Rescue and Fire Fighting building, generator and the pump house.