Indonesia Islands FDC

Indonesia FDC
Name: The Small Outermost Islands
Date of Issue: 13 December 2008

The Republic of Indonesia is an archipelagic state consists of not less than 17,508 big and small islands spread 5,110 km long and 1,888 km wide. Geographically, Indonesia is located at Strategic position between Asia and Australia Continents as well as Indian and Pacific Oceans. These islands are connected by sea and strait of nearly 5.8 million km2 national territory with 79,610 km long coastal line.

Indonesia has 92 small outermost islands bordering on 10 neighbor states, i.e. Australia, India, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste. The islands spread in 9 provinces mostly in Kepulauan Riau and Maluku. Approximately half of these islands are inhabited with 0.02 to 200 km2 size.

In socializing the existence of these small outermost islands aimed at protecting the Republic of Indonesia territory, Directorate General of Post and Telecommunication, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of the Republic of Indonesia issues stamp series of Small Outermost Islands in the event of commemoration Nusantara Day on December 13, 2008. The stamp series features 4 islands, namely Damar, Sebatik, batuwaikang, and Bras.

Denominations:
1/4 Rp1500: Damar Island
Damar Island or commonly named by local people as Tokongatap is part of Anambas Islands located at Natuna Sea and bordering on Malaysia. An Extreemely wave occurs in its water area during north seasons. Swalows transit in this rocky and abrupted islands in the evening. This island is part of Jemaja District, Natuna Town, Kepulauan Riau Province. Beside of its fish resource richness, water area around Damar Island is knowned as a location of 4 sinking ship containing precious historical goods. in order to protect this island, several effort shall be done as follows reconstructing and maintaining base point and refference point, intensifying control to secure souverignity, and maintaining navigation guiding equipment.

2/4 Rp1500: Sebatik Island
Sebatik Island is divided into 2 territories, one part under the Republic of Indonesia while other under Malaysia. Sebatik is the farthest district at the east of Nunukan Town, East Kalimantan province consisting 4 villages, namely Tanjung Karang, Pancang, Sungai Nyamuk, Tanjung Aru and Setabu. The weather is generally hot around 28.8 ℃, the lowest temperature 22.9 ℃ in August while the hottest 33.0 ℃ strikes in April. This is one among the most prioritized outermost islands for development program because its direct border position to neighbor state. Among the crucial agenda of this program are development of agriculture, plantation, fishery and tourism as well as law enforcement and security control.

3/4 Rp1500: Batuwaikang Island
Batuwaikang Island is one the farthest islands at the north of Sulawesi bordering of the Philippines. This vertically stab of stone shaped island is part of Kawio Islands. The island is located at the north of Sangihe Island anf the northeast of Marore Island. Batubawaikang is part of North Tabukan Dostrict, Sangihe Town, North Sulawesi Province. The weather around the island is highly changing in short times. In northern wind seasons, the speed of wind can reach 40 miles per hour causing high wave that even a big ship can not passed this waterfront.

4/4 Rp1500: Bras Island
Bras Island is part of Mapia Islands bordering on the Republic of Palau. This island is 390 miles away from Babelthuap island (the Republic of Palau). Mapia Islands consists of 5 islands, namely Mapia or Pegun, Bras or Berasi, Small Bras, Fanildo or Faniroto and Small Fanildo. The islands territory is secured by Indonesian National Army stationed at Mapia Island. Bras Island is part of West Supiori District, Supiori Town, Papua Province, Sea bio-diversity richness as well as preserved ecosystem in Mapia Islands brings out opportunity to develop tourism industry, including nature, culture and historical site of World War II.

Comment: I appreciate Indonesia's consciousness of her territory, this set is very special, it not only shows its location, but also its latitude and longitude.