Pangkal Pinang is the capital of Bangka, a large sparsely populated island off Sumatra's east coast. The island has one of the major ports on the Java Sea. Tourist facilities are limited but there are several good hotels in town.

Pangkal Pinang island of Bangka and the capital of the province of Bangka-Belitung. It is located on the islands east coast.

Flights to Pamgkal Pinang

Over the centuries the island of Bangka has been occupied by (amongst others) the British, Dutch and during WW2 the Japanese.  The island became part of the independent country of Indonesia in 1949. Bangka was also formerly part of South Samartra.

Area: 11,900 sq km or appx 4,6oo sq miles

Population: Appx 135,000 inhabitants

Ethnic groups: Mainly consists of Malay and Indonesian Chinese

Language: Indonesian, Malay and Chinese dialects

Pangkal Pinang is a major port on the Java Sea from where tin, pepper, fish and copra are exported. Deep sea fishing, boat building and repairs are also important sources of income for the town.