Raja Ampat Regency

Regency in Southwest Papua, Indonesia

Raja Ampat Regency

Kabupaten Raja Ampat

Regency

Sunset in Raja Ampat

Coat of arms

Motto(s):

Mbilin Kayam
(Maya-Biak: Building Together)

Location in Southwest Papua

Raja Ampat Regency

Location in Indonesia

Coordinates: 0°50′S 130°30′E﻿ / ﻿0.833°S 130.500°E﻿ / -0.833; 130.500
Country| Indonesia
Province| Southwest Papua
Capital| Waisai
Government

• Regent| Abdul Faris Umlati
• Vice Regent| Manuel Piter Urbinas
Area

• Total

| 7,559.61 km2 (2,918.78 sq mi)
Population

(mid 2023 estimate)[1]

• Total

| 68,501
• Density| 9.1/km2 (23/sq mi)
Time zone| UTC+9 (Indonesia Eastern Time)
Area code| (+62) 956
Website| rajaampatkab.go.id

Raja Ampat Regency is a regency of Southwest Papua Province of Indonesia. The regency, which was formed by separating the archipelago from Sorong Regency, based on the Law 26 of 2002, was inaugurated on 12 April 2003. It consists of a number of groups of islands situated off the north-west end of West Papua; the four main islands from south to north are Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo. At present, the regency covers a land area of 7,559.60 km2, with a total area (including 59,820.01 km2 of sea area) stated as 67,379.61 km2. It had a population of 42,508 at the 2010 Census[2] and 64,141 at the 2020 Census;[3] the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 68,501 (comprising 36,000 males and 32,501 females).[1] The principal town lies at Waisai on Waigeo Island.

On 25 October 2013 the People's Representative Council (DPR) began reviewing draft laws on the establishment of new regencies, including two new regencies of North Raja Ampat and South Raja Ampat within the borders of the existing Raja Ampat Regency. As at May 2024, these changes have not yet been implemented.

## The Beauty of Raja Ampat

[edit]

Raja Ampat is known for its beautiful sea and scenery. It is recognized as the home of the largest coral reef biodiversity in the world. With more than 550 distinct variety of coral, 700 different kinds of mollusks, and 1427 different species of fish, it is a significant center for marine biodiversity. Seventy-five percent of all known coral species may be found in the seas around the Raja Ampat Islands, which are home to some of the world's most diverse species.[4]

## Geography

[edit]

Raja Ampat Regency is a regency located at a position of 2° 25' north latitude to 40° 25' latitude south, and 130° - 132° 55' east longitude. Administratively, the boundaries of the Raja Ampat Regency are as follows:

* North : Bounded by the Pacific Ocean
* South: Bounded by the Seram Sea.
* West : Bounded by the Seram Sea, Central Halmahera Regency, North Maluku Province
* East : Bounded by West Sorong District, Sorong City, Aimas District and Seget District (of Sorong Regency) and Seram Sea[5]

## Administrative Districts

[edit]

The Raja Ampat Archipelago

At the 2010 Census, the regency was divided into seventeen districts (kecamatan). Subsequently, seven additional districts have been created by the division of existing districts. The twenty-four districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census[2] and the 2020 Census,[3] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.[1] They are grouped according to the proposed split into three regencies currently under consideration (since 2013) by the government. The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (4 urban kelurahan in Waisai Town District, and 117 rural kampung in all the other districts), the number of named islands in each district, and its postal code.

Kode
Kemendagri | Name of
District
(distrik) | Land
area
in km2 | Pop'n
Census
2010 | Pop'n
Census
2020 | Pop'n
Estimate
mid 2023 | Admin
centre | No.

villages | No.

islands | Post
code | Villages

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

92.05.13 | Misool Selatan
(South Misool) | 91.16 | 3,026 | 3,504 | 3,610 | Dabatan | 5 | 295 | 98485 | Dabatan, Fafanlap, Harapan Jaya, Usaha Jaya, Yellu
92.05.16 | Misool Barat
(West Misool) | 336.84 | 1,291 | 1,498 | 1,550 | Lilinta | 5 | 79 | 98484 | Biga, Gamta, Kapatcol, Lilinta, Magey
92.05.01 | Misool (or
Misool Utara) | 1,235.68 | 1,761 | 2,017 | 2,070 | Salafen | 5 | 38 | 98483 | Aduwei, Atkari, Salafen, Solal, Waigama
92.05.10 | Kofiau | 206.23 | 2,520 | 2,599 | 2,670 | Mikiran | 5 | 29 | 98482 | Awat, Deer, DibalaI, Mikiran, Tolobi
92.05.06 | Misool Timur
(East Misool) | 553.66 | 2,651 | 2,835 | 2,920 | Folley | 6 | 136 | 98486 | Audam, Folley, Limalas Barat, Limalas Timur, Tomolol,
Usaha Jaya
92.05.17 | Kepulauan Sembilan
(Sembilan Islands) | 17.21 | 1,458 | 1,458 | 1,500 | Weijim Barat | 4 | 16 | 98481 | Pulau Tikus, Satukurano, Wejim Barat, Wejim Timur
| Total Raja Ampat Selatan | 2,440.78 | 12,707 | 13,911 | 14,320 |  | 30 | 593 |
92.05.04 | Salawati Utara
(North Salawati) | 38.52 | 2,144 | 2,597 | 2,710 | Samate | 6 | 59 | 98495 | Jefman Barat, Jefman Timur, Kapatlap,
Samate, Waidim, Wamega
92.05.22 | Salawati Tengah (a)
(Central Salawati) | 572.47 | 1,917 | 1,992 | 2,080 | Kalobo | 10 |  | 98494 | Batbiro, Duriankari, Manfanin, Maralol, Meyaup, Sailen,
Sakapul, Waibin, Waiman, Waliam
92.05.21 | Salawati Barat
(West Salawati) | 502.47 | 899 | 1,121 | 1,180 | Solol | 4 |  | 98493 | Kaliam, Kalwal, Solol, Waibon
92.05.25 | Batanta Selatan
(South Batanta) | 188.77 | 1,312 | 1,598 | 1,670 | Yenanas | 4 |  | 98491 | Amdui, Wailebet, Waiman, Yenanas
92.05.20 | Batanta Utara
(North Batanta) | 290.75 | 909 | 1,599 | 1,670 | Yensawai Timur | 4 |  | 98492 | Arefi Selatan, Arefi Timur, Yensawai Barat, Yensawai Timur
| Total Raja Ampat Tengah | 1,592.98 | 7,181 | 8,907 | 9,310 |  | 28 | 59 |
92.05.03 | Waigeo Selatan
(South Waigeo) | 240.12 | 1,715 | 2,173 | 2,300 | Saonek | 5 | 197 | 98475 | Friwen, Saonek, Saporkren, Wawiyai, Yenbeser
92.05.09 | Teluk Mayalibit
(Mayalibit Bay) | 621.93 | 846 | 1,297 | 1,370 | Yenanas | 4 | 34 | 98473 | Kalitoko, Lopintol, Mumes, Warsamdin
92.05.11 | Meos Mansar | 218.87 | 1,625 | 2,221 | 2,400 | Yinbekwan | 9 |  | 98472 | Arborek, Kabuy, Kapisawar, Kurkapa, Sawandarek,
Sawinggrai, Yenbekwan, Yenbuba, Yenwaupnor
92.05.18 | Kota Waisai
(Waisai Town) | 121.87 | 6,976 | 21,797 | 24,280 | Waisai | 4 |  | 98471 | Bonwakir, Sapordanco, Waisai, Warmasen
(all kelurahan)
92.05.19 | Tiplol Mayalibit | 200.51 | 930 | 1,171 | 1,240 | Go | 6 |  | 98474 | Arway, Beo, Go, Kabilol, Waifoi, Warimak
92.05.07 | Waigeo Barat
(West Waigeo) | 763.64 | 1,409 | 1,786 | 1,890 | Waisilip | 5 | 327 | 98464 | Bianci, Mutus, Saleo, Selpele, Waisilip
92.05.15 | Waigeo Barat Kepulauan
(West Waigeo Islands) | 103.30 | 2,084 | 2,768 | 2,970 | Manyaifun | 6 | 22 | 98465 | Gag, Manyaifun, Meosmanggara,
Pam, Saukabu, Saupapir
92.05.02 | Waigeo Utara
(North Waigeo) | 149.57 | 1,477 | 1,800 | 1,880 | Kabare | 6 |  | 98466 | Andey, Asukweri, Bonsayor, Darumbab,
Kabare, Kalisade
92.05.14 | Warwarbomi | 297.33 | 1,045 | 1,389 | 1,450 | Warwanai | 4 |  | 98467 | Boni, Mnier, Warkori, Warmanai
92.05.23 | Supnin | 223.82 | 908 | 1,117 | 1,170 | Rauki | 4 |  | 98463 | Duber, Kapadiri, Rauki, Urai
92.05.05 | Kepulauan Ayau (b)
(Ayau Islands) | 12.66 | 1,230 | 1,092 | 1,110 | Abidon | 5 |  | 98462 | Boiseran, Dorehkar, Runi, Yenkanfan, Yenkawir
92.05.24 | Ayau (b) | 5.83 | 989 | 1,103 | 1,130 | Dorehkar | 4 | 45 | 98461 | Abidon, Meosbekwan, Reni, Rutum
92.05.08 | Waigeo Timur
(East Waigeo) | 555.40 | 1,386 | 1,609 | 1,660 | Urbinasopen | 4 | 27 | 98476 | Puper, Urbinasopen, Yenbekaki, Yensner
| Total Raja Ampat Utara | 3,514.85 | 22,620 | 41,323 | 44,850 |  | 63 | 652 |
| Total Regency | 7,559.60 | 42,508 | 64,141 | 68,501 | Kota Waisai
(town) | 121 | 2,179 |

Note: (a) not to be confused with the similarly-named Salawati Tengah District within Sorong Regency.
(b) the Ayau Islands (including Ayau District) lie some distance to the north of Waigeo.

Coral reef off of Piaynemo, an island in Misool District

Since 2010, the new Waisai district has been created from part of Waigeo Selatan District, the new Tiplol Mayalibit District has been created from part of Teluk Mayalibit District, the new Supnin District has been created from part of Waigeo Utarat District, and the new Ayau District has been created from part of Kepulauan Ayau District.

## Proposed further changes

[edit]

Misool and Kofiau Islands (comprising the first six districts listed above) are currently under Indonesian government consideration to be split off to form a separate South Raja Ampat Regency under proposals approved in 2014 by the Indonesian Parliament. Similarly, Waigeo and its surrounding small islands (comprising the last thirteen districts listed above) are currently under Indonesian government consideration to be split off to form a separate North Raja Ampat Regency under proposals approved in 2014 by the Indonesian Parliament. However, as at 2024, these changes have not yet been implemented.

The proposed splits from the existing regency would leave the five remaining districts, mainly consisting of Salawati and Batanta Islands, in the centre of the existing regency; note that the southern half of Salawati Island does not form part of the existing regency, but instead constitutes the Salawati Selatan and Salawati Tengah Districts of Sorong Regency, the latter having the same name as Salawati Tengah District of Raja Ampat Regency. Since 2010, the new Salawati Tengah and Salawati Barat districts have been created from parts of Salawati Utara District, while the former Selat Sagawin District has been divided into two new districts - Batanta Utara and Batanta Selatan.

## Transport

[edit]

### Air

[edit]

In early May 2012, a 1,200 metres runway of Marinda Airport on Waigeo Island was officially opened by the Transportation minister and Raja Ampat official. The runway was later extended to 2,000 metres and was predicted to be finished in 2013.[6]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Raja Ampat Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9205)
2. ^ a b Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
3. ^ a b Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
4. ^ "Raja Ampat Regency | Raja Ampat Biodiversty Eco Resort". Raja Ampat Biodiversity Eco Resort. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
5. ^ Direktorat Jendral Cipta Karya Kementerian Pekerjaan Umum dan Perumahan Rakyat, Jakarta, 2021
6. ^ "Pengembangan Infrastruktur Bandara Raja Ampat Hingga 2013". May 26, 2012. Archived from the original on October 14, 2014.

## External links

[edit]

* Statistics publications from Statistics Indonesia (BPS)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Raja Ampat Regency.

* v
* t
* e

Regencies and cities of Southwest Papua

Capital: Sorong

Regencies|

* Maybrat
* Raja Ampat
* Sorong
* South Sorong
* Tambrauw

Cities|

* Sorong

New Guinea portal

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template