Talaud Islands Regency

The Talaud Islands form an archipelago situated to the northeast of the Minahasa Peninsula, with a land area of 1,251.02 km2.

The island of Miangas is the most northerly in the regency and is widely regarded as the northernmost point of Indonesia.

Human settlements in the region have been present since prehistoric times, as shown by several artifacts of hand axe and chopper from 6,000 BC.

[4] It was thought that inhabitants of the island originated from Southern Philippines especially Mindanao and also traders from Ternate.

Compared with the Sangihe archipelago, the islands are low-lying and forested, with hills rising to 2,231 feet (680 metres).

[7] The region is regularly rocked by large earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, as the Molucca Sea Plate is being consumed in both directions.

Talaud Islands Regency is one of the outermost regions in Indonesia located in North Sulawesi Province, directly bordering the Philippines.

However, although this great potential has been developed, its utilization is still limited by problems with infrastructure, fishing technology, and market access.

[13] The beauty of the underwater world and the richness of marine life are the main attractions for domestic and international tourists.

However, the lack of transportation facilities and tourism promotion are challenges that need to be overcome to encourage this sector as a source of regional income.

However, challenges in this sector include climate change, access to modern agricultural technology, and inadequate infrastructure.

Sea and air access to Talaud is still limited, making it difficult to distribute goods and services.

Although their numbers are relatively small, their presence has enriched the ethnic diversity in the Talaud Islands Regency.

Ships from the Philippines often stopped in Talaud to conduct trade these goods, as well as local seafood and agricultural products.

[22] The Talaud Islands are a hotspot of endemism and zoological diversity, and are situated in the Sulawesi lowland rain forests ecoregion.

Sangihe and Talaud were largely deforested by 1920, and there is minimal natural forest remaining on these islands.

A survey has been proposed to determine appropriate locations for additional protected areas around the remaining forest (Stattersfield et al.

A Topographical Map of the Islands [ a ]
Bitunuris Beach, near Bitunuris Village, Salibabu
A coconut plantation in Tampan'amma District, Talaud Islands Regency; Coconut is among the major cash crops in the regency.
Market in Siaoe, Talaud Islands [ b ]
Miangas airport, serving the northernmost Indonesian island of Miangas