Riau Islands is one of the provinces in Indonesia, whose territory includes Riau Archipelago, Natuna Islands, Anambas, and the island of Linga. Approximately 95% of the Riau Islands is a sea, while the rest is land area. Location of the province is very strategic, because it was at the entrance to the Strait of Malacca. In the north, Riau Islands bordering Vietnam and Cambodia; in the south with the islands of Bangka and Belitung Jambi; the western border with Singapore, Malaysia, and Riau Province; and Malaysia, Brunei and West Kalimantan Province in the east.
Potentials and Riau Islands natural wealth magnificent. Provinsi ini memiliki sejumlah pantai cantik dan tempat menyelam, seperti di Pantai Trikora di Pulau Bintan dan Pasir Panjang di Pulau Rupat. Natural conditions also supports this area to develop the aquaculture business, from starting businesses to use technology seeding cultivation and fishing. In addition, almost the entire land area of Riau Islands has a fertile soil, so the potential to be processed into agricultural land and livestock.

2. History
From the Sriwijaya to approximately the 16th century, the area is part of Riau Malays Sultanate. After the fall of Malacca in the year 1511, Riau became the center of political power from the Sultan of Johor Johor or Riau, which is based on the island of Bintan. This island also has long been regarded as the cultural center of the Malays.

Then, based on Law No. 23 In 2002, Riau Islands, which formerly was part of Riau province finally set to become an independent province.

3. Culture
Art of music, dance, and theater with Malays who feel very strong well-developed enough in the Riau Islands. Music Melayu Riau Islands style can be found in various forms, such as Idioms or singing, music dance, music Zapin, Silat music, music Host, and so on. Then, a few examples of dance that developed in the Melayu Riau Islands is Zapin Dance, Dance Dance Dangong, Jogi Dance, Dance Melemang, Makyong Dance, Dance supportive, and so on. Meanwhile, Malays theater that developed in this province is Maknyong Theater, Randai, UNFORGETABLE, and the Puppet People.

4. Population
Ethnic groups contained in the Riau Islands are Malays, Bugis, Javanese, Arabs, Indonesians, Padang, Batak, and Flores. Population growth in this province is quite high, especially on the island of Batam. In addition to birth factors, factors of high rates of migration from various regions in Indonesia will also affect the high population growth.

Have the highest population density in the city of Tanjung Pinang, while the lowest population density is in Natuna Regency. The official language used is Indonesian, but some are using Bahasa Melayu.

5. Language
The language used is language wither and Indonesian Riau.

6. Culinary
a. Snails barking
Snails barking is a marine snail found only around the island of Bintan, Riau Islands. Snails barking presented by way of boiled and eaten with sambal. Almost every seafood restaurant in the City and County Bintan Tanjungpinang provide this food menu.

b. Mie mucus
Mie mucus is a typical food of Batam and Bintan Island. This food consists of boiled yellow noodles with bean sprouts (bean sprouts) and eat with a boiled egg cut in half. Noodles and doused with a thick peanut sauce.

c. Sup Ikan Batam
Batam fish soup served with pieces of fish fillet that had been separated from the bones. These pieces of fish coated with egg white to remove the fishy smell, then cooked with herbs and spices mixed wuluh starfruit and green tomatoes.

Sekupang Harbour, Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia

Tourism Office:
Jl. D.I. Panjaitan Km.8 No. 12
Tanjung Pinang, Kepulauan Riau
Phone / Fax: +62-771-443377