Belitung
Belitung (Belitung Malay: Belitong, formerly Billiton) is an island on the east coast of Sumatra, Indonesia in the Java Sea. It covers 4,859 km2 (1,876.1 sq mi) (including offshore islands such as Mendanau Island), and had a population of 309,097 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 320,500. Administratively, it forms two regencies (Belitung Regency and East Belitung Regency) within the province of Bangka-Belitung Islands. The island is known for its pepper and for its tin. It was in the possession of the United Kingdom from 1812 until Britain ceded control of the island to the Netherlands in the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824. Its main town is Tanjung Pandan. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has declared 17 tourist attractions in the Belitung Geopark as world geoparks.
Native name: Belitong | |
|---|---|
Belitung Belitung | |
| Geography | |
| Location | South East Asia |
| Coordinates | 2°50′S 107°55′E |
| Area | 4,859.11 km2 (1,876.11 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 500 m (1600 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Tajam |
| Administration | |
| Province | Bangka Belitung Islands |
| Regency | Belitung Regency, East Belitung Regency |
| Largest settlement | Tanjung Pandan |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 320,500 (mid 2023 estimate) |
| Pop. density | 66/km2 (171/sq mi) |