Riau

Riau province occupies a large stretch of east-central Sumatra, facing the Strait of Malacca toward Malaysia and Singapore. With about 6.5 million people, it is one of Indonesia's most economically important provinces, generating substantial shares of the country's palm oil, pulp and paper, and oil & gas production. The capital Pekanbaru is one of Sumatra's wealthier cities. For most visitors, Riau is a transit and business destination rather than a leisure one, though the cultural heritage of the Riau Malay sultanates is significant.

Geography

Riau covers about 87,000 square kilometres of mostly low-lying plains, with extensive rivers (the Kampar, Siak, Indragiri, and Rokan) draining toward the Strait of Malacca. The geography lends itself well to plantation agriculture and oil exploration. The eastern coast has extensive mangrove ecosystems; the inland is dominated by palm oil and acacia pulpwood plantations.

The Riau Islands (Kepulauan Riau) — including Batam, Bintan, and dozens of smaller islands — were administratively separated into their own province in 2002 and have a separate page.

Population and culture

Riau's ethnic composition is mixed. The Malay (Melayu Riau) are the original population and remain culturally dominant. Substantial Javanese, Minangkabau, Batak, and Chinese populations live in the cities. The language at home is often Malay or one of the regional dialects; Bahasa Indonesia in work and education.

Religion is overwhelmingly Muslim (88%), with a Chinese-Indonesian Buddhist minority and small Christian communities.

The Riau Malay tradition has produced significant literature, music (the violin-based zapin and ghazal forms), and the Pacu Jalur boat-racing festival on the Kuantan River near Teluk Kuantan — one of Indonesia's more distinctive cultural events.

Pekanbaru

Pekanbaru (population about 1 million) is one of Sumatra's largest cities, an inland city on the Siak River. Built largely on the post-1970s oil boom, the city is modern, sprawling, and commercially active rather than touristically interesting. Key sights include:

• The Great Mosque An-Nur: large central mosque
• Siak Palace: in nearby Siak, the restored palace of the Siak Sri Indrapura Sultanate, one of Riau's historic centres
• Pasar Bawah: traditional market

Economy

Riau's economy is anchored by:

• Palm oil: one of Indonesia's largest palm-oil producing provinces, with extensive smallholder and corporate plantations
• Pulp and paper: APRIL (Asia Pacific Resources International Limited) and APP (Asia Pulp & Paper) have major operations
• Oil and gas: PT Chevron Pacific Indonesia long operated the Duri and Minas fields, among Indonesia's largest

The plantation economy has produced significant environmental controversy, with persistent peatland fires and haze affecting Riau, neighbouring provinces, and even Singapore and Malaysia.

What to see

For visitors:

• Siak: the historic sultanate town, with the restored palace and traditional Malay houses
• Bono tidal bore on the Kampar River: a natural tidal wave phenomenon up to 4-6 metres high, attracting international surfers
• Lake Bunga Tujuh: a small but pretty highland lake
• Pulau Rupat: an island off the north coast with beaches

Practical

• Airport: Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport in Pekanbaru
• Best time: dry season (May-September); the wet season produces haze problems
• Climate: hot, humid, equatorial year-round
• Religion: orthodox Muslim culture; modest dress appreciated

Riau is more important economically and politically than touristically. Visitors typically pass through Pekanbaru for business or transit to the Riau Islands.