The topography of all the Babar islands is distinctive for their marked stepped appearance, the result of a combination of periodic uplifting of the tectonic plate interacting with the erosive action of the constant ocean waves.

These are low-lying, uplifted reef and limestone (with the exception of Dai Island, which is largely granite), infertile, not heavily forested and lacking in fresh water sources.

The more difficult environment leads the indigenous inhabitants to focus more of their energies on fishing and hand-crafts which are then traded for garden produce from Babar Island.

The people collect rain water in large above ground cisterns which can last them through the driest time of the year (September to December).

The Indonesian government has provided funds for many more collection tanks for rain water, so the situation has improved markedly in the last few years.

In comparison to the majority of Indonesians living nearer the political centre of the country, the indigenous Babar Islanders tend to have darker epidermal pigmentation, have kinky hair and generally lack the epicanthic eyefold of East Asians.

Due undoubtedly to the aridity of the islands and the lack of natural resources, there has been no mass transmigration from more populous Indonesian areas.