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Tanjungpinang

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Tanjungpinang is the capital city of the Riau Islands province in Indonesia.

Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument
Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument

The city covers a total land area of 144.56 square kilometers. Most of this land sits on the southern part of Bintan Island. The city also includes other smaller islands like Dompak Island and Penyengat Island. Its name is derived from the position of a beach nut tree. This tree juts into the sea and acts as a guide. Voyagers use the tree to find the mouth of the Bintan River. This strategic location makes it a vital hub for the region.

The city serves as a major center for Malay culture and trade. It has historically functioned as a capital for several important powers. These include the Johor Sultanate and the Riau-Lingga Sultanate. Because of its location, Tanjungpinang has seen influence from many different groups. Over many centuries, the area came under control by Sumatra and Malacca. It was also governed by the Netherlands, Britain, and Japan. These various contacts helped shape the unique culture found in the city today.

Tanjungpinang has a very long history of trade and shifting power. As early as the 3rd century, it flourished as a trading post. It sat along the important India–China trade route. From the 7th to the 13th centuries, the Srivijaya empire dominated the area. Srivijaya was a Sumatra-based empire that nurtured trade with China. However, the rise of piracy caused the empire to decline. By the 12th century, Chinese travelers referred to Bintan Island as "Pirate Island."

Pulau Penyengat
Pulau Penyengat

The history of the region involves many famous sultanates. After the Malacca Sultanate was captured by the Portuguese in 1511, the Sultan moved to Bintan. In 1528, Alauddin Riayat Shah II established the Johor Sultanate. This era saw the opening of Bandar Riau, an important trading port. Later, the capital moved to Riau and then to Lingga in 1788. This series of moves led to the name Johor–Riau–Lingga Empire. Eventually, the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 partitioned the territory. This treaty placed the area south of the strait under Dutch control.

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

Colonial rule changed the administration of the city significantly. On February 11, 1911, the Dutch officially annexed the sultanate. They administered the area as the Riau Residency of the Dutch East Indies. They even constructed a military base at Tanjungpinang. During World War II, the Japanese occupied the city. They used Tanjungpinang as the government center for the Riau Islands. After the Japanese surrendered, the Dutch returned to control. The Dutch finally withdrew in 1950, and the region joined Indonesia.

Pulau Penyengat
Pulau Penyengat

Today, Tanjungpinang is a growing and diverse urban center. According to the 2020 Census, the population was 227,663 people. By mid-2023, official estimates placed the population at 234,840. This group includes 118,600 males and 116,250 females. The city is divided into four distinct districts, or kecamatan. These are Bukit Bestari, Tanjungpinang Timur, Tanjungpinang Kota, and Tanjungpinang Barat. The climate is a tropical rainforest climate. This means the city experiences heavy rainfall throughout the entire year. Most residents, about 80.77%, identify as Muslim.

Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument
Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument

Many landmarks define the character of the city and its surroundings. The Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument is a notable site. On Penyengat Island, visitors can find the old ruler's palace. This island also holds royal tombs, including that of Raja Ali Haji. He was the author of the first Malay grammar book. The Masjid Raya, an old vice-royal mosque, is still used today. The city also hosts festivals for Malay music and dance. For travelers, the city is well-connected by ferry and speedboat. It is only 40 km from Singapore and near the Raja Haji Fisabilillah International Airport.

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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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