Riau Islands

Riau Islands is a province of Indonesia in the western part of the country, covering more than 2000 islands in the South China Sea between Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and Borneo. The capital Tanjung Pinang sits on one of the larger islands, while the rest of the province consists of smaller inhabited areas and unpopulated landmasses.

The region belonged from the 7th century to the Buddhist Srivijaya empire, which controlled trade and religion for centuries until local sultanates and later Dutch colonial rulers managed the islands. After independence, the area was established as a separate province in 2002.

The area lies in an old trading zone between Malaysia and Indonesia, where inhabitants today still speak several languages and different temples and mosques stand side by side. Visitors notice the influence from trade and migration in markets, festivals, and daily cooking along the coasts.

Travelers reach the islands by plane through Batam or by ferries from Singapore and other ports in the region. Accommodations range from simple guesthouses to international hotels, with larger islands offering more infrastructure than smaller remote areas.

Gunung Daik on Lingga Island reaches 1,163 meters in elevation and is the highest point in this maritime province. The islands are also home to several primate species that visitors can observe in forested areas away from the busier coastal zones.

Location: Indonesia

Inception: 2004

Capital city: Tanjungpinang

Shares border with: Bangka Belitung Islands, Jambi, Riau, West Kalimantan, Malaysia, Singapore

Website: http://kepriprov.go.id

GPS coordinates: 0.90000,104.45000

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:02