Best provinces for nature and wildlife
These provinces hold Indonesia's most extraordinary natural assets — from Sumatran orangutans to Papuan biodiversity hotspots, active volcanoes, and the world's most diverse coral reefs.
1. West Papua
Capital Manokwari · Papua · pop 540,000
Raja Ampat archipelago — peak marine biodiversity on Earth.
2. Papua
Capital Jayapura · Papua · pop 1,034,000
Asmat, Baliem Valley, untouched rainforest. Indonesia's remote frontier.
3. East Nusa Tenggara
Capital Kupang · Lesser Sunda · pop 5,541,000
Komodo dragons, Flores, Pink Beach, manta diving.
4. North Sumatra
Capital Medan · Sumatra · pop 15,136,000
Bukit Lawang orangutans, Mt. Sibayak volcano, Lake Toba.
5. Central Kalimantan
Capital Palangka Raya · Kalimantan · pop 2,670,000
Tanjung Puting National Park — Bornean orangutans by river boat.
6. North Sulawesi
Capital Manado · Sulawesi · pop 2,621,000
Bunaken marine park, Tangkoko macaque reserve, Lembeh muck diving.
7. East Java
Capital Surabaya · Java · pop 41,149,000
Mt. Bromo and Mt. Ijen blue-fire — Indonesia's iconic volcanic landscapes.
8. Bengkulu
Capital Bengkulu · Sumatra · pop 2,010,000
Largest flower in the world (Rafflesia), undeveloped beaches and rainforest.
9. Aceh
Capital Banda Aceh · Sumatra · pop 5,407,000
Pulau Weh diving, Leuser National Park orangutans.