Bangka Belitung

Description

Bangka Belitung Island is a province with archipelago nomenclature. Consisting of approximately 81,725,14 km sq. land with its 16,424,14 km sq and wide territorial water is 65,301 km sq, 20% among others represent territorial water of rock. Consisting of 2 big islands, Bangka Island and also 254 islets surrounding them with coastal length is 1,200 km sq, divided  in 7 sub-provinces.

History

With excellence of comparability and supported by regional ecosystem of archipelago, coastal area and the island with the other, Bangka Belitung present marine tourism (diving, scuba, snorkeling, fishing and sailing). After tin was found here in 1710, Bangka (derived from the local word wangka meaning tin) got his wealth and fame from this metal. These days tin is still mined but not as much as before.

Entry

Get a flight from Soekarno-Hatta Airport. Or you can visit Bangka Belitung by boat from Palembang.

People & Culture

The Chinese make up at least 20% of the population of Babel. The majority of the Chinese are direct descendants of the coolies who worked the tin mines. The oldest temple is in Batu Rusa, a village along the road from Pangkalpinang to Sungai Liat. A beautifully decorated temple is found near Tayu in the north of Bangka Island. There are approximately 55 Chinese or Buddhist temples on Bangka alone that are still in use.

Cuisine

Due to its proximity to sea, sea food has become a favorite. Chinese influence also can be seen in the dishes that mainly use Chinese spices. While you're here try gebung, the local dialect for chicken fish. Its firm and tasty flesh will delight your senses.

Tourism Office

Dinas Perhubungan dan Pariwisata Provinsi Bangka Belitung

Jl. Jend. Sudirman 10, Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Belitung

Phone: (62-717) 437705

Fax: (62-717) 438850

www.visitbangkabelitung.com