{{Short description|Regency in Riau Islands, Indonesia}} {{Use British English|date=March 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Anambas Islands Regency | native_name = ''Kabupaten Kepulauan Anambas'' | native_name_lang = id<!-- Indonesian --> | image_skyline = Anambas Islands, Riau Islands Province.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Anambas Islands seen from far | type = Regency | image_shield = Lambang Kabupaten Kepulauan Anambas.jpg | shield_alt = | motto = ''Kayuh Serentak Langkah Sepijak''<br />(Pedaling Simultaneously Steps){{force singular}} | image_map = Locator Anambas Islands Regency.png | map_alt = | map_caption = Location within Riau Islands | coordinates = {{coord|3|6|N|105|40|E|region:ID_type:adm1st|display=title,inline}} | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Indonesia | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Riau Islands | seat_type = Regency seat | seat = Tarempa | leader_title = Regent | leader_name = {{Ill|Aneng|lt=Aneng|id}} | leader_title1 = Vice Regent | leader_name1 = {{Ill|Raja Bayu Febri Gunadian|lt=Raja Bayu Febri Gunadian|id}} | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 518.78 | elevation_min_m = | elevation_max_m = | elevation_m = | population_as_of = 2025 estimate | population_total = 50360 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_footnotes = <ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2026">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 September 2026, ''Kabupaten Kepulauan Anambas Dalam Angka 2026'' (Katalog BPS 1102001.2105)</ref> | timezone1 = Indonesia Western Time | utc_offset1 = +7 | website = [http://www.anambaskab.go.id/ anambaskab.go.id] | footnotes = | postal_code_type = Postcodes | postal_code = 297xx | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = (+62) 773 | pushpin_map = Indonesia_Sumatra#South_China_Sea#Indonesia | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Sumatra, South China Sea and Indonesia | pushpin_label = | pushpin_label_position = right }} [[File:Terempa-main-town-Anambas-islands-Indonesia.jpg|alt=A view of the town of Tarempa on Siantan Island|thumb|332x332px|Tarempa, the administrative centre of the Anambas Islands Regency]]

'''Anambas Islands Regency''' ({{langx|id|Kabupaten Kepulauan Anambas}}) is an island regency in the Riau Islands Province, Indonesia, located in the Natuna Sea. The regency consists of 255 islands, including five outer islands that are important for Indonesia's sovereignty boundaries, namely: Tokong Berlayar Island, Tokong Nanas Island, Mangkai Island, Damar Island, and Malangbiru Island.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ppid.bnpp.go.id/news/newsdetail/586/home |title=Sistem Informasi Pelayanan Publik BNPP |website=PPID BNPP |access-date=10 November 2024}}</ref> Anambas Islands Regency located {{convert|150|nmi|0}} northeast of Batam Island in the Natuna Sea between the Malaysian Peninsula to the west and the island of Borneo to the east. Geographically part of the Tudjuh Archipelago. This island regency covers a land area of approximately {{convert|518.78|km2|sqmi}} spread over an area of approximately 46,664&nbsp;km² of water. The regency had a population of around 37,411 at the 2010 Census.<ref name="Biro Pusat Statistik 2011">Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.</ref> and 47,402 at the 2020 Census;<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.</ref> the official estimate as at mid 2025 was 50,360.<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2026">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 September 2026, ''Kabupaten Kepulauan Anambas Dalam Angka 2026'' (Katalog BPS 1102001.2105)</ref> The administrative centre is at Tarempa on Siantan Island.

== Islands ==

=== Main islands === The islands fall into two main groups. The eastern group includes the principal island of Siantan (on which is situated the main town of Tarempa) and Bajau. Further north lie the islands of Matak and Mubur, together with a number of small islands. The western group is centred on the island of Jemaja (on which is situated the only other town of Letung), with a number of smaller islands to its north. Between these two main groups lie a number of smaller islands, of which Telaga Island is the largest, while Airabu Island lies due south of Siantan.

=== Matak island === The Anambas archipelago contains a large reserve of natural gas that is exported to countries such as Singapore and Malaysia. The island of Matak is the main base for oil exploration.

=== Pulau Bawah === '''Pulau Bawah''', formerly known as Leeward island, is a clustered archipelago of six islands accessed by seaplane. It is located about 150 nautical miles northeast of Singapore and Batam, is a cluster of islets that collectively surround three lagoons, each of which suitable for snorkelling, scubadiving and coral beach activities.<ref name=pb2>{{Cite web |url=http://www.askaer.com/ALMA/CRUISES/Entries/2011/10/22_Bawah_Island%2C_Indonesia.html |title=Island cruises |access-date=29 July 2017 |archive-date=17 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817104921/http://www.askaer.com/ALMA/CRUISES/Entries/2011/10/22_Bawah_Island,_Indonesia.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> CNN rates the Anambas Islands are one of Southeast Asia's most spectacular coastal spots, with good snorkelling and diving spots, and Pulau Bawah in particular has good tourism potential.<ref name=pb1>[http://www.pulaubawah.com/ Pulau Bawah]</ref>

Whilst the majority of the population generates their income from fishing and fishing-related industries, tourism has been gaining traction.

== Diving == The shipwrecked vessels ''Seven Skies'' and ''Igara'' attract a variety of indigenous marine life and offer diving opportunities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/13/sport/south-east-asia-sailing/index.html |first=Eoghan |last=Macguire |title=Asia's top five tropical island paradises |publisher=CNN |date=17 April 2012 |access-date=24 October 2012 }}</ref>

==Administrative districts== At the 2010 Census, the Regency was divided into seven districts (''kecamatan''), but three additional districts have subsequently been created by splitting of two of the existing districts - '''Jemaja Barat''' from Jemaja District, and '''Siantan Utara''' and '''Kute Siantan''' from Palmatak District. The ten districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census<ref name="Biro Pusat Statistik 2011"/> and the 2020 Census,<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2021"/> together with the official estimates as at mid 2025.<ref name="Badan Pusat Statistik 2026">Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 27 September 2026, ''Kabupaten Kepulauan Anambas Dalam Angka 2026'' (Katalog BPS 1102001.2105)</ref> The table also includes the location of the district administrative centres, the number of villages in each district (totaling 52 rural ''desa'' and 2 urban ''kelurahan'', the latter being Tarempa and Letung), and its post code.

{| class="sortable wikitable" |- ! Kode <br />Wilayah || Name of <br />District<br />(''kecamatan'') || English<br />name|| Area <br /> in<br />km<sup>2</sup>|| Pop'n<br />2010<br />Census|| Pop'n<br />2020<br />Census|| Pop'n<br />mid 2025<br />Estimate||Admin<br />centre||No.<br />of<br />Villages||Post<br />Code |- | 21.05.06 || Jemaja <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Jemaja Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.2105010)</ref>|| ||align="right"| 63.97||align="right"| 5,621||align="right"| 5,894||align="right"| 6,230||Letung||align="center"| 6||29792 |- | 21.05.09 || Jemaja Barat <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Jemaja Barat Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.2105011)</ref>|| (West Jemaja) ||align="right"| 17.57||align="right"| <sup>(a)</sup>||align="right"| 1,051||align="right"| 1,060||Impol||align="center"| 3||29792 |- | 21.05.05 || Jemaja Timur <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Jemaja Timur Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.2105020)</ref>|| (East Jemaja) ||align="right"| 148.40||align="right"| 2,028||align="right"| 2,597||align="right"| 2,770||Ulu Maras||align="center"| 4||29793 |- | 21.05.04 || Siantan Selatan <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Siantan Selatan Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.2105030)</ref>|| (South Siantan) ||align="right"| 32.36||align="right"| 3,177||align="right"| 3,829||align="right"| 3,970||Air Bini||align="center"| 7||29790 |- | 21.05.01 || Siantan <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Siantan Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.2105040)</ref>|| ||align="right"| 56.63||align="right"| 9,920||align="right"| 13,108||align="right"| 14,200||Tarempa||align="center"| 7||29791 |- | 21.05.03 || Siantan Timur <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Siantan Timur Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.2105050)</ref>|| (East Siantan) ||align="right"| 86.44||align="right"| 3,290||align="right"| 4,296||align="right"| 4,630||Nyamuk||align="center"| 6||29794 |- | 21.05.07 || Siantan Tengah <sup>(b)</sup> <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Siantan Tengah Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.2105060)</ref>|| (Central Siantan) ||align="right"| 18.78||align="right"| 2,755||align="right"| 3,352||align="right"| 3,490||Air Asuk||align="center"| 6||29795 |- | 21.05.02 || Palmatak <sup>(c)</sup> <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Palmatak Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.2105070)</ref>|| ||align="right"| 32.36||align="right"|10,620||align="right"|7,404||align="right"| 7,770||Tebang||align="center"| 7||29796 |- | 21.05.08 || Siantan Utara <sup>(d)</sup> <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Siantan Utara Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.2105071)</ref>|| (North Siantan) ||align="right"| 39.25||align="right"| <sup>(e)</sup>||align="right"|1,955||align="right"| 1,980||Mubur||align="center"| 3||29796 |- | 21.05.10 || Kute Siantan <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 26 September 2024, ''Kecamatan Kute Siantan Dalam Angka 2024'' (Katalog-BPS 1102001.2105072)</ref>|| ||align="right"| 23.02||align="right"| <sup>(e)</sup>||align="right"|3,916||align="right"| 4,260||Payalaman||align="center"| 5||29796 |- | 21.05 || ''Totals'' || ||align="right"| ''518.78''||align="right"| ''37,411''||align="right"| ''47,402''||align="right"| ''50,360''|| ''Tarempa''||align="center"| ''54''||29796 |}

Notes: (a) the 2010 population of the new Jemaja Barat District is included in the figure for Jemaja District, from which it was cut out. <br />(b) notwithstanding the district name, this is situated on Matak Island, of which it comprises the southern part. <br />(c) comprises most of Matak Island, plus nearly small islands. (d) notwithstanding the district name, this is situated on Mubur Island. <br />(e) the 2010 populations of the new Siantan Utara District and Kute Siantan District are included in the figures for Palmatak District, from which they were cut out.

==See also== {{portal|Islands}} * Badas Islands * Natuna Islands * Tambelan archipelago

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikivoyage|Anambas}} * National Geospatial-intelligence Agency (2005) [http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/websites/pollux/pollux.nss.nima.mil/NAV_PUBS/SD/pub163/163sec01.pdf "Borneo: Northwest Coast and Kepulauan Tudjuh"] ''Sailing directions (enroute): Borneo, Jawa, Sulawesi, and Nusa Tenggara'' United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency * {{cite web|title=Natuna Islands (includes Anambas) |work=IndonesiaPhoto.com |url=http://www.indonesiaphoto.com/destinations/riau/item/127-natuna-islands |access-date=15 December 2005 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714055249/http://www.indonesiaphoto.com/destinations/riau/item/127-natuna-islands |archive-date=14 July 2010 }} * Website all things about Anambas [https://web.archive.org/web/20181112193700/http://abikublog.com/ "Virtual Journey to Anambas"] * [http://www.pulaubawah.com/ Pulau Bawah website] * [http://www.askaer.com/ALMA/CRUISES/Entries/2011/10/22_Bawah_Island,_Indonesia_files/droppedImage.jpg Pulau Bawah (formerly Leeward Islands) map] * [http://www.navegar-es-preciso.com/news/islas-anambas/ Islas ANAMBAS] (Spanish)

{{IslandsofRiauIslands}} {{RiauIslandsProvince}} {{South China Sea}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Regencies of the Riau Islands Category:Tudjuh Archipelago Category:Anambas Islands Category:Populated places in Indonesia