BATAM AT FAST FACTS

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Located betwen at to 07' North latitude and 104o 07' East longitude. Located east of the island of Sumatera and south of Malaysia and Singapore.

AREA
715 sq km ( included Rempang and Galang islands )

CLIMATE
Tropical climate with warm weather all year round. Temperatures range from 21 to 34 celcius degree. Annual rainfall varies from 2.000 mm to 2.500 mm. In general throughout the region, being for wet dry season from November to April and another dry season.

POPULATION
729.000 ( until March 2008 )

PEOPLE & CULTURE
Although Melayu culture is predominant in the area, Tthe population is culturally and ethnically diverse, coming from all over Indonesia as well as overseas.
Batam is multiethnic island, the local inhabitants maintain their Islamic tradition. Daily life is punctuated by religious and mistical ceremonies represented by dances, music, and other forms art.

RELIGION
Islam is the majority religion but all other religion on practical freely e.g Catholic, Christian, Hindhu, Budha, Khong Hu Chou.

LANGUAGE
Bahasa Indonesia is the national languagebut but English is widely spoken. Batamese also speak various language an dialects.

GOVERMENT
The status of Batam a port of the work area of the goverment of Riau Islands Province ( Provinsi Kepulauan Riau ). The capital of the province is the city of Tangjung Pinang.

TIME
Eight hours ahead of GMT and hours ahead of U.S. Pacific Standard Time.

CURRENCY
The unit of currency is the Indonesia Rupiah indicated as RP. Foreign currency can be converted at banks and money changers.

ELECTRICITY
Voltage is 220-240 volts AC at 50 Hz cycles per second

MEASUREMENT
Metric System

TELEPHONE
Local calls can be made from public phones using coins ( Rp. 100,- or Rp. 500,- ) and prepaid cards. International call an be mode from phone shop ( WARTEL ) or at any Telkom Indonesia offices.
Indonesia area code
Batam area code.....0778

ENTRY REQUREMENTS
Visitor must be in possession on valid pasport or travel document with minimum validity of six monts beyond the intended visiting period.
Citizens of most countries do not require visas for social or business visit.
For a few countries need to provide visa on arrival ( VOA ) when arriving at imigrasi office at ferries terminal.


BANKING & GOVERMENT OFFICES HOURS
Mon - Fri: 08.00 am - 15.00 pm
Sat - Sun: Closed

DEPARTURE FEE/TAX
Domestic flight at Hang Nadim Airport
Domestic ferry at Telaga Punggur Terminal
Domestic ferry at Sekupang Terminal
Sekupang International Ferry Terminal