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Tanjungpinang

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Tanjungpinang is a busy capital city in Indonesia.

Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument
Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument

It serves as the capital for the Riau Islands province. Most of its land sits on the southern part of Bintan Island. The city also includes Dompak Island and Penyengat Island. Its name comes from a beach nut tree that juts into the sea. This tree helped travelers find the mouth of the Bintan River. The city is a very important place for trade and culture in the region.

Pulau Penyengat
Pulau Penyengat

The city has a very long and complex history. It was a major trading post as far back as the 3rd century. A large empire called Srivijaya once ruled much of this area. Later, the Malacca Sultanate became a great power in the region. Many different groups have controlled the city over the centuries. These include the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, and Japan. Each of these groups helped shape the local culture we see today.

COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Straatgezicht met de protestantse kerk en de ingang van een moskee Tandjong Pinang TMnr 10015181
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Straatgezicht met de protestantse kerk en de ingang van een moskee Tandjong Pinang TMnr 10015181

Tanjungpinang was once the capital of the Johor-Riau-Lingga Empire. In 1911, the Dutch took official control of the area. They used the city to run the Riau Residency. During World War II, the Japanese also used it as a government center. After the Dutch left in 1950, the area became part of Indonesia. In 2001, it became an autonomous city. It officially became the capital of the Riau Islands in 2002.

Pulau Penyengat
Pulau Penyengat

There are many interesting facts about the city's size and people. The city covers about 144.56 square kilometers of land. In 2020, the census counted 227,663 people living there. By mid-2023, the estimate grew to 234,840 people. This includes 118,600 males and 116,250 females. Most people in the city, about 80.77%, are Muslim. Other residents follow Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, or Confucianism. The weather is tropical and stays wet with heavy rain all year.

Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument
Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument

Visitors can find many special landmarks in and around the city. You can visit the Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument. On Penyengat Island, you can see old royal tombs and palaces. This island is also home to the Masjid Raya mosque. The city is a center for Malay music and dance festivals. You can also find famous Buddhist temples in the Senggarang region. The city is easy to reach by ferry or speedboat. It is only 40 km away from Singapore. The Raja Haji Fisabilillah International Airport is just 7 km from the center.

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🖼️ Images & Media (3)
File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Straatgezicht met de protestantse kerk en de ingang van een moskee Tandjong Pinang TMnr 10015181.jpg
COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Straatgezicht met...
File:Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument.jpg
Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument.jpg
File:Pulau Penyengat.jpg
Pulau Penyengat.jpg
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