Biak Numfor Regency is one of the regencies (kabupaten) in Papua Province of Western New Guinea in northeastern Indonesia.

Biak Numfor Regency
Kabupaten Biak Numfor
Coat of arms of Biak Numfor Regency
Motto(s): 
Memantapkan Kota Jasa Sebagai Jembatan Emas Biak Sejahtera di Masa Depan
(Strengthening the City of Services as the Golden Bridge for Prosperous Biak in the Future)
Location in Papua Province
Location in Papua Province
Biak Numfor Regency is located in Western New Guinea
Biak Numfor Regency
Biak Numfor Regency
Location in Indonesian Papua
Biak Numfor Regency is located in Indonesia
Biak Numfor Regency
Biak Numfor Regency
Location in Indonesia
Coordinates: 1°10.17′S 136°5.24′E / 1.16950°S 136.08733°E / -1.16950; 136.08733
Country Indonesia
ProvincePapua
CapitalBiak
Government
 • RegentHerry Ario Naap
 • Vice RegentCalvin Mansnembra
Area
 • Total2,601.99 km2 (1,004.63 sq mi)
Elevation
768 m (2,520 ft)
Population
 (mid 2023 estimate)[1]
 • Total147,403
 • Density57/km2 (150/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+9 (Indonesia Eastern Time)
Area code(+62) 981
Websitebiakkab.go.id

Geography

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The regency consists two of the three largest members of the Biak Islands archipelago at the northern entrance into Cenderawasih Bay. These two large islands are Biak and Numfor; the remaining large island within the Schouten Islands group, Supiori Island, was formerly also part of the regency but was administratively split off to form the separate Supiori Regency on 8 January 2004. Numfor Island lies due west of Biak. The remaining Biak Numfor Regency also includes the 54 small islands of the Padaido Archipelago, to the southeast of Biak, and there are 87 other small islands within the regency.

Biak Numfor Regency covers an area of 2,601.99 km2. and had a population of 126,798 at the 2010 Census[2] and 134,650 at the 2020 Census.[3] The official estimate as at mid 2023 was 147,404 (comprising 74,977 males and 72,436 females).[1] The regency's administrative centre is the town (kota) of Biak, on the island of the same name.

Administrative Districts

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The existing regency comprises nineteen districts (distrik), tabulated below with their populations at the 2010 Census[2] and the 2020 Census,[3] together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.[1] The table also includes the location of the district headquarters, the number of administrative villages (totaling 254 rural kampung and 14 urban kelurahan) and minor islands within each district, and its post code.

Kode
Wilayah
Name of
District
(distrik)
Area
in
km2
Pop'n
2010
Census
Pop'n
2020
Census
Pop'n
mid 2023
Estimate
Admin
centre
No.
of
villages
No.
of
islands
Post
code
91.06.04 Numfor Barat
(West Numfor)
90.83 2,511 1,600 2,413 Kameri 12 9 98564
91.06.17 Orkeri 62.42 1,772 1,633 1,932 Pakreki 9 2 98565
91.06.05 Numfor Timur
(East Numfor)
49.54 1,273 1,671 1,831 Yenburwo 9 - 98562
91.06.16 Bruyadori 101.73 1,868 2,077 2,233 Duai 10 24 98561
91.06.18 Poiru 79.93 1,833 1,344 1,891 Andei 9 - 98563
Total Numfor Island 384.45 9,257 8,325 10,300 49 35
91.06.10 Padaido 30.72 1,741 1,963 2,343 Pai 11 37 98556
91.06.19 Almando Padaido 50.86 2,166 2,196 2,527 Pasi 13 17 98555
Total Padaido Islands 81.58 3,907 4,159 4,870 24 54
91.06.03 Biak Timur
(East Biak)
125.51 6,686 6,898 8,384 Bosnik 26 4 98541
91.06.20 Oridek 181.66 4,730 4,987 5,625 Wadibu 14 8 98542
91.06.01 Biak Kota
(Biak town)
42.94 41,731 43,724 43,230 Biak 22 (a) 3 98511
-98534
91.06.12 Samofa 230.54 27,711 34,414 35,503 Darfuar 17 (a) - 98551
91.06.11 Yendidori 275.13 7,865 8,610 9,149 Yendidori 19 4 98547
91.06.02 Biak Utara
(North Biak)
277.77 6,534 7,535 7,867 Korem 16 - 98544
91.06.14 Andey 270.17 2,329 1,766 2,812 Rodifu 11 - 98543
91.06.09 Warsa 68.37 4,470 5,107 5,798 Amoi 20 4 98553
91.06.13 Yawosi 39.63 1,960 2,143 2,295 Wasori 8 - 98552
91.06.21 Bondifuar 129.14 212 452 555 Sansundi 5 3 98554
91.06.08 Biak Barat
(West Biak)
252.34 5,420 5,994 6,639 Yomdori 22 10 98545
91.06.15 Swandiwe 242.76 3,986 4,386 4,376 Wombrisauw 15 - 98546
Total Biak Island 2,135.96 113,634 122,166 132,233 195 54
Regency Totals 2,601.99 126,798 134,650 147,403 268 143

Note: (a) including 7 urban kelurahan.

Numfor Island (comprising the first five districts listed above) were intended to be split off to form a separate regency under proposals announced in 2013 by the Indonesian Government, although all such new measures have been placed on hold since 2013. The Padaido Archipelago geographically comprises the 54 islands in Paidado District (southeast of Biak) and Aimando Padaido District (further to the east), plus Pulau Owi, Pulau Purbasbeba and Pulau Ruisbasbedar (islands which are part of Biak Timur District).

Diving sites

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There are at least 12 diving sites in the Padaido Archipelago, which comprises 54 islets, with its pristine water, wide sandy beaches and high biodiversity, about two hours from Biak town by speedboat. The visibility is well up to 30 metres, and a favourite site is the World War II preserved wreckage of a US Catalina seaplane, with angelfish, lionfish, damselfish and other smaller fishes swimming around the wreckage.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Biak Numfor Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9106)
  2. ^ a b Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  4. ^ "Biak, the hidden paradise". August 31, 2013.
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