Banyak Islands
| Banyak Islands | ||
|---|---|---|
| Waters | Indian Ocean | |
| Geographical location | 2 ° 10 ′ N , 97 ° 15 ′ E | |
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| Number of islands | 50 | |
| Main island | Tuangku | |
The Banyak Islands are a group of 50 relatively small islands off the west coast of Sumatra in the Malay Archipelago in the Indian Ocean .
They are located about 30 kilometers west of Sumatra, about 80 km north of Nias and 40 to 80 km southeast of Simeuluë . They belong to the Indonesian province of Aceh .
Most of the islands are uninhabited, around 7,000 people live on the archipelago. The locals are very hospitable and look forward to meeting strangers. Belief in ghosts and black magic are alive and well among the villagers. Most of the inhabitants immigrated from Nias and central Sumatra as settlers. Christians live on one of the inhabited islands. This is the only Christian community in the Muslim Aceh.
The islands are hardly used for agriculture. The villagers live mainly from fishing and partly from selling coconuts. All daily necessities have to be brought over from Sumatra. These goods are offered on the market once a week. There is no medical care. The prevailing sanitary conditions are sometimes primitive.
In 2008, 300 tourists found their way to the banyaks. Ferries or other boats operate from the port city of Singkil on Sumatra. Tourist offers are emerging, but there are still no ATMs or internet cafés on the islands, for example.
Most of the inhabitants live on the island of Balai in the village of the same name.
The largest island Tuangku has an area of 206 km² and its highest point is 315 m high. The largest settlement is called Alaban.
Bangkaru Island is a national park . Many turtles nest there every night. The organization "Yayasan Pulau Banyak" has set itself the task of protecting the populations. Former egg thieves and locals are involved in the project.
There is a small bungalow complex on the island of Palambak . There you can spend your vacation in a dreamlike setting with that certain Robinson Crusoe feeling. In addition, "Yayasan Pulau Banyak" offers canoe tours, jungle treks and turtle watching.
During the devastating 2004 tsunami, some islands sank. The epicenter was not far from the islands.