Lingga Islands
| Lingga Islands | ||
|---|---|---|
| Islands and Regency | ||
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 Red Circle is Lingga Islands, south of Riau Archipelago, part of Riau Islands province (green) |
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| Country | Indonesia | |
| Province | Riau Islands | |
| Capital | Daik | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 2,205.95 km2 (851.72 sq mi) | |
| Population (2010) | ||
| • Total | 86,230 | |
| • Density | 39/km2 (100/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | WIB (UTC+7) | |
Not to be confused with "Linga", a common Scottish island name, see
The Lingga Islands or Lingga Archipelago (Indonesian: Kepulauan Lingga) are a group of islands in Indonesia, located south of Singapore, along both sides of the equator, off the eastern coast of Riau Province on Sumatra island. They are south of the populated Riau Archipelago, known for the industrial island of Batam and the tourist-frequented island of Bintan, although the Lingga Islands themselves are rarely visited due to the infrequent local transportation. The equator goes through the northern tip of Lingga, the name of the main island in the archipelago. Administratively they form a Regency of the Riau Islands Province with an area of 2,205.95 km² and a population of 86,150 people at the 2010 Census. The capital lies at Daik.
The population are mainly Malay, Bugis and Chinese (predominantly Hakka, Teochew and Hokkien).
Lingga derives its name from the profile of Mount Daik which is shaped like the Hindu lingam, often interpreted as a phallic symbol. This mountain has three sharp teeth as peak, one of them seems to have broken off at its base, and it was immortalised by Malay poets as the symbol of durability. The poem is
Pulau Pandan jauh ke tengah,
Gunung Daik bercabang tiga,
Hancur badan dikandung tanah,
Budi yang baik dikenang juga.
Nearby are the remains of the fort of Benteng Bukit Cening, overlooking the sea. The cannons are still lined up, as if they were awaiting another enemy attack.
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Wikipedia