Pulau Bangka Island Indonesia (Sumatra)

Pulau Bangka Island (aka Banka Island) is located east of Sumatra (mainland Indonesia). The island covers a total area of approx 11694 km2 (4515 mi2) and has population around 1 million.

Banka Island is part of Indonesia's Bangka Belitung Islands Province, with capital and largest city/principal port being Pangkalpinang (population around 220,000). Cruise ships may also stop at the nearby Sungailiat (population ~95,000) located approx 30 km / 20 mi to the north of Pangkal Pinang. Smaller ships and superyachts usually stop at Parai Beach Resort & Spa at Pantai Parai Tenggiri (to the north of Sungai Liat).

Bangka Island has 4 seaports - Belinyu (far north), Mentok (far west), Sadai (far south) and Pangkal Balam (closest to Pangkal Pinang).

Bangka Island's provincial capital and largest city is Pangkal Pinang (population around 330,000). The province consists of Pulau Bangka and Pulau Belitung. To the east (across Gaspar Strait) is Belitung, to the south is Java Sea, to the north is South China Sea. Bangka Island's scenery features beautiful beaches, swamps, lower plains, small hills, white pepper fields, tin mines.

The largest town (Pangkal Pinang) serves as capital of Bangka-Belitung province. Sungai Liat is the island's 2nd largest city. Mentok (in the west) is the main port. Other large towns are Koba (tin mining town, on the island's southern part), Toboali and Belinyu.

Since 1710, the island is one of the world's principal tin-producing centers. Tin production is monopoly of the Indonesian government. Tin smelter is located at Muntok. White pepper is also produced in large quantities on the island.

Pulau Bangka Island Indonesia cruise terminal