Located off the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula on the island of New Guinea, in Indonesia's
West Papua province, Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands,
cays and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, and the
smaller island of Kofiau. Raja Ampat Regency is new regency which separated from Sorong Regency
at 2004.[1] It encompasses more than 40,000 km² of land and sea, which also contains Cenderawasih Bay,
the largest marine national park in Indonesia. It is a part of the newly named West Papua (province)
ofIndonesia which was formerly Irian Jaya. The islands are the most northern pieces of land in
the Australian continent. The name of Raja Ampat comes from local mythology that tells abou
t a woman who finds seven eggs. Four of the seven eggs hatch and become kings that occupy
four of Raja Ampat biggest islands whilst the other three become a ghost, a woman, and a stone.
History shows that Raja Ampat was once a part of Tidore Kingdom, an influential kingdom from
Maluku. Yet, after Holland invaded Maluku, it was shortly claimed as a part of the kingdom of
Holland. The main occupation for people around this area is fishing since the area is dominated
by the sea. They live in a small colony of tribes that spreads around the area. Although
traditional culture still strongly exists, they are very welcoming to visitors. Their religion is
dominantly Christian.
Maluku. Yet, after Holland invaded Maluku, it was shortly claimed as a part of the kingdom of
Holland. The main occupation for people around this area is fishing since the area is dominated
by the sea. They live in a small colony of tribes that spreads around the area. Although
traditional culture still strongly exists, they are very welcoming to visitors. Their religion is
dominantly Christian.
The oceanic natural resource around Raja Ampat makes it significantly potential as a
touristic area. Many sources place Raja Ampat as one of their top ten popular places
for diving whilst it becomes number one in terms of underwater biodiversity.
touristic area. Many sources place Raja Ampat as one of their top ten popular places
for diving whilst it becomes number one in terms of underwater biodiversity.
http://www.kaskus.us/showthread.php?t=6573049
According to Conservation International, marine surveys suggest that the marine life
diversity in the Raja Ampat area is the highest recorded on Earth.[2]Diversity is
considerably greater than any other area sampled in the Coral Triangle composed of
Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The Coral Triangle is the heart of the
world's coral reef biodiversity, making Raja Ampat quite possibly the richest coral reef
ecosystems in the world.
diversity in the Raja Ampat area is the highest recorded on Earth.[2]Diversity is
considerably greater than any other area sampled in the Coral Triangle composed of
Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The Coral Triangle is the heart of the
world's coral reef biodiversity, making Raja Ampat quite possibly the richest coral reef
ecosystems in the world.
The area's massive coral colonies along with relatively high sea surface temperatures,
also suggest that its reefs may be relatively resistant to threats like coral bleaching and
coral disease, which now jeopardize the survival of other coral ecosystems around the
world. The Raja Ampat islands are remote and relatively undisturbed by humans.
also suggest that its reefs may be relatively resistant to threats like coral bleaching and
coral disease, which now jeopardize the survival of other coral ecosystems around the
world. The Raja Ampat islands are remote and relatively undisturbed by humans.
The high marine diversity in Raja Ampat is strongly influenced by its position between
the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as coral and fish larvae are more easily shared between the
two oceans. Raja Ampat's coral diversity, resilience, and role as a source for larval dispersal
make it a global priority for marine protection.
http://falista-file.blogspot.com/2011/02/indahnya-raja-ampat-papua-siapa-bilang.html
the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as coral and fish larvae are more easily shared between the
two oceans. Raja Ampat's coral diversity, resilience, and role as a source for larval dispersal
make it a global priority for marine protection.
http://falista-file.blogspot.com/2011/02/indahnya-raja-ampat-papua-siapa-bilang.html
1,309 fish species, 537 coral species (a remarkable 96% of all scleractinia recorded from
Indonesia are likely to occur in these islands and 75% of all species that exist in
the world), and 699 mollusk species, the variety of marine life is staggering. [3
] Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks
, such as wobbegongs.
Indonesia are likely to occur in these islands and 75% of all species that exist in
the world), and 699 mollusk species, the variety of marine life is staggering. [3
] Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks
, such as wobbegongs.
Although accessing the islands is not that difficult, it takes some time. It takes
six hours flight from Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia to Sorong. Then,
taking boat to reach the islands is necessary.
six hours flight from Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia to Sorong. Then,
taking boat to reach the islands is necessary.
