Pongok Island


Pongok, sometimes known as Liat, is an Indonesian island which is part of the Pongok Islands subdistrict of the South Bangka regency, Bangka Belitung. It comprises over 95% of the subdistrict's area and most of its population, with an area of 48.3 square km. It is the 5th largest island in the province, being far smaller than Bangka and Belitung in addition to the islands of Lepar and Mendanau.
The smaller island of Celagen, off the western coast of the island, holds the remaining population of the subdistrict. Before its division in 2012, the island was part of the Lepar Pongok subdistrict.

Geography

The island is located approximately halfway between Bangka and Belitung, in the middle of the Gaspar Strait, resulting in it sometimes being referred to as "Middle Island".
The island stretches approximately 10 km north-south and 8.5 km east-west. Several small streams flow in the island. The terrain is largely flat with little prominent elevations, the highest point on the island being only 125 m above sea level. The island is accessible by boat, with a three-hour journey from mainland Bangka.

Demographics

The island, as Pongok Village, has a population of 5,377 with a sex ratio of 1.14 and divided into 916 households.

Economy and administration

The island is part of the Pongok Village in the subdistrict, and is further subdivided into 7 hamlets. A solar power plant with a peak capacity of 125 kilowatts was established on the island in 2015.
A stark majority of the labor force are engaged in fisheries and agriculture, with a fish production of about 6,850 tonnes throughout 2016. Several public-funded schools are present on the island, ranging from kindergarten to senior high school.