Pedra Branca, Granite island at eastern Singapore Strait
Pedra Branca is a small granite island in the eastern Singapore Strait, extending roughly 137 meters long and 60 meters wide. The rocky outcrop sits at a strategic point where the strait connects with the South China Sea.
The Horsburgh Lighthouse was built between 1840 and 1851, marking when Singapore began administering the island. An international court ruled in 2008 that the island belongs to Singapore, while neighboring Middle Rocks went to Malaysia.
The name Pedra Branca comes from Portuguese and means white rock, referring to the white guano deposits that coat the granite surface. For centuries, the island served as a recognizable landmark for seafarers navigating these waters.
The island is only accessible by water and is not open to tourists. It serves primarily as a critical navigation marker in one of the world's busiest maritime passages.
The lighthouse on the island was among the first of its kind in Southeast Asia and was built using innovative methods for that era. Its construction was a remarkable engineering achievement and drew international attention to the region.
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