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Box 23.2 The coral reefs of West Sumatra. In: The ecology of the Indonesian seas part II

Abstract

Introduction Padang, the capital of West Sumatra Province, is located at 01° S and 100° E. The coastline of West Sumatra extends from Air Bangis (north) to Mukomuko (south) for a length of about 450 km (fig. 23.27). The provincial waters include the Mentawai Islands (Pulau Siberut, Sipura and Pagai), located about 167 km to the west. The surface area of the sea comprises about 20,000 km², or about 50% of the total provincial area. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC) amounts to more than 140,00 km² (data from Dirjen 1993; BAPPEDA 1993; and Kunzmann and Efendi 1994). Altogether about 297 islands and reefs (shallower than 10 m depth) are mentioned on the hydrographic charts of West Sumatra. However, West Sumatra only represents about 0.6% of Indonesian territorial waters. With less than 100 islands, West Sumatra also represents only about 0.6% of the 17,508 islands in Indonesia. Only seven islands in the province are larger than 343 km². From north to south these islands are Pini, Tanahmasa, Tanahbala, Siberut, Sipura, Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan.

Cite this activity

Kunzmann A. (1997) Box 23.2 The coral reefs of West Sumatra. In: Oey E. (ed.). The ecology of the Indonesian seas part II (pp. 1249-1262).

Details

Date 01.01.1997
Volume 8
Pages 1249-1262
Book Title The ecology of the Indonesian seas part II
Editors Oey E.
ISBN 962-593-163-5
Open Access Closed Access
Open Access Status Closed Access
Eprints_link https://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/6113

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