North Halmahera Regency
North Halmahera Regency (Indonesian: Kabupaten Halmahera Utara) is a regency (on Halmahera Island) of North Maluku Province, Indonesia. It was declared a separate Regency on 31 May 2003, formed from part of the former North Maluku Regency. The capital town of the regency lies at the port of Tobelo. The Regency, which has been considerably reduced by the separation of Morotai Island in 2008, now covers an area of 3,891.62 square kilometres (1,502.56 sq mi) and had a population of 161,847 people at the 2010 Census, 179,783 at the 2015 Intermediate Census. and 197,640 at the 2020 Census. The official estimate as at mid 2022 was 202,755. The principal settlements are Tobelo, Kao and Galela. The area is noted for its white beaches and coral reefs.
North Halmahera Regency
Kabupaten Halmahera Utara | |
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View of North Halmahera Regency | |
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Coat of arms | |
| Motto(s): Hibualamo (Big House) | |
| Coordinates: 1°43′55″N 128°0′28″E | |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Province | North Maluku |
| Capital | Tobelo |
| Government | |
| • Regent | Frans Manery |
| • Vice Regent | Muchlis Tapi Tapi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3,891.62 km2 (1,502.56 sq mi) |
| Population (mid 2022 estimate) | |
| • Total | 202,755 |
| • Density | 52/km2 (130/sq mi) |
| Demographics | |
| • Religion | Christianism 60,19% –Protestantism 59,33% –Catholicism 0,86% Islam 39,50% Hinduism 0,1% Buddhism 0,1% Other 0,28% |
| Time zone | UTC+9 (IEST) |
| Area code | (+62) 924 |
| Website | halmaherautarakab |
Apart from the importance of its 115 islands (19 have remained unnamed) for spices, North Hamahera was a World War II base camp. The Japanese and the American allies fought for its control. From the island of Morotai, Americans headed by the General of the Army Douglas MacArthur prepared for an attack on the Philippines.
Halmahera and its small islands are located in the Coral Triangle, which has rich marine life. Marine biodiversity data on reef fishes was collected during a rapid survey conducted at 28 locations in 2005 in the south-western part of Halmahera. Explorer Gerry Allen, during his diving surveys in 2005, recorded 803 species of reef fishes.