1 Riau Island Province rovincial Emblem Flag Province . Governor: Arsyadjuliandi Rachman (Golkar) Government . Vice Governor: Vacant Capital: Tanjung Pinang Largest city: Batam Population: 2,028,169 (2017) Area: 10,595.41 km2 Geography The island of Batam, which lies within the central core group of islands (the Riau Archipelago), contains a majority of the province's population. Since becoming part of an economic zone with Singapore in 2006, it has experienced high population growth rates. Other highly populated islands in the Riau Archipelago include Bintan and Karimun, while the archipelago also includes islands such as Bulan and Kundur. There are around 3,200 islands in the province, which has its capital at Tanjung Pinang in the south of Bintan Island. The Riau Islands province includes the Lingga Islands to the south of the main Riau Archipelago, while to the northeast lies the Tudjuh Archipelago, between Borneo and mainland Malaysia; the Tudjuh Archipelago consists of four distinct groups — the Anambas Islands, Natuna Islands, Tambelan islands and Badas Islands — which were attached to the 2 new province, though not geographically part of the Riau Archipelago. The 2015 census count was 1,968,313, less than estimated but it was still the second fastest growing province in Indonesia. Administrative divisions This province is divided into five regencies (kabupaten) and two cities (kotamadya), listed below with their (provisional) populations at the 2010 Census: Economy The rate of economic growth of Riau Islands Province in 2005 amounted to 6.57%. The sectors that grew well (faster than the growth of total GDP) in 2005, among others sector, transport and communications (8.51%), manufacturing (7.41%), financial services, leasing and corporate services (6.89%), services sector (6.77%), and trade, hotels and restaurants (6.69%). GDP per capita in the Riau Islands province last five years (2001-2005) tends to increase. In 2001 GDP per capita amounted to Rp. 22.808 million, and in 2005 rose to become of Rp.29,348 million. However, in real terms (without taking into account inflation) GDP per capita (without gas) in 2001 only amounted to Rp.20,397 million, and in 2005 increased to Rp. 22.418 million. As an island province, 96% of the province is covered with ocean. This condition is very conducive to the development of aquaculture enterprises ranging effort to use seeding cultivation technology and fishing. In the Karimun Island, there are snapper fish farming and seaweed cultivation. In Batam, Bintan Regency, Lingga and Natuna also has huge potential in the field of fisheries. In addition to capture fisheries in four districts were also developed aquaculture sea water and fresh water. In the city of Batam, precisely in Setoko Island, there is even a grouper hatchery facility capable of producing more than 1 million seeds annually. In Batam, precisely the area of Telaga Punggur, there is a fishing port which is managed by a private company. Telaga Punggur Fishery Port was inaugurated on 8 January 2010 by the Minister of Marine and Fisheries R.I Dr. Ir. H. Fadel Muhammad. The layout of the fishing port private Lake Punggur very strategic for dealing with traffic lane fishing vessels between Riau Islands Province, and Natuna, South China Sea as well as the presence of the fishing port private Telaga Punggur in Batam very close with Singapore to boost the export of marine products, and add locally generated revenue. Almost all areas in the province of Riau Islands has the potential to be processed into agricultural land and farms given fertile soil. The agricultural sector is a strategic sector, especially in the district of Bintan, Karimun and Batam. Besides the crops, and horticulture, other crops such as coconut, coffee, Gambier, pineapple and cloves are very well developed. Likewise, in the district of Bintan and Lingga very suitable for growing fruits and vegetables. In some of the island is suitable for oil palm plantations. One of the largest oil palm plantation in the Riau Islands are in the area of Tirta Madu. Tourist attractions 3 Tourism in the Riau Islands is one of the main sectors that help advance economic growth in the Riau Islands, Indonesia. Natural wealth, art, and culture is one of the important areas of tourism in the Riau Islands. The Riau Islands Nature has a tropical climate, with 2,408 islands of which 30% are uninhabited. The Lower Island of Anambas Islands is included in Asia's best tropical island version of CNN. In addition, Sisi Beach in Natuna has also become one of the best natural beaches in the world by Island magazine in 2006. Penyengat Island and Bintan Island are also examples of the most popular tourist destinations in the Riau Islands. In addition, there are few beautiful waterfalls to be found in Riau Provice.These include Resun Waterfall, Waterfall of the Hereditary, Cik Latif Waterfall. These waterfalls have become parts of the tourism destinations in the Riau Islands. Natural water experience can also be felt by visiting the Blue Lake and the beauty of Mangong River mangrove forest in Bintan. Exploration of natural caves is also available in the Riau Islands, for example Goa Batu Sindu and Goa Kapal Batu in Natuna. The natural baths are also developed into tourist destinations such as Tengku Ampuan Zahara Baths in Lingga and Tanjung Hutan Hot Water in Karimun. Riau Islands also has the beauty of the promontory example Tanjung Berakit, the beauty of the bay example of Tering Bay, the beauty of the straits for example Strait Berhala, and the beauty of natural islands such as Pulau Bawah, Pulau Benan, and Pulau Soreh. Religion Islam is the dominant religion in the province, with 77.51% of the total population identify themselves as Muslim. Other religions are Christianity, which forms 14.68% of the total population, Buddhism, which forms 7.51% of the total population, Hinduism, which forms 0.05% of the total population and Confucianism, which forms 0.17% of the total population. Etymology The origin of Riau Islands name comes from the name "Riau". Riau is allegedly derived from the word "riuh" which in Malay means loud or noisy. This is because the area of the Riau Islands was once a center of trade and crowd. Then this name developed with the use of the name Riau in the name of the Sultanate of Lingga. In the colonial period, the name Riau was changed to Riouw. .