Bangka is an island province together with Belitung Island. Bangka lies just east of Sumatra, separated by the Bangka Strait; to the north lies the South China Sea, to the east, across the Gaspar Strait, is the island of Belitung, and to the south is the Java Sea. The size is about 12,000 km². It has beautiful sandbeaches with spectacular rockformations. Because of the enduring seawind it isn't as warm as elsewhere in Indonesia. There aren't too many western tourists, so you can have quiet stay, also because of the good infrastructure. Mini-busses drive all over the island and the local people are very polite and helpfull. Bangka and twin-island Biliton were well known in the Dutch colonial era for the tin-mines. The Dutch brought in many Chinese labourers for these mines at the end of the 19th century. Nowadays the majority of the population is from chinese descent. If you arrive by plane you can see from above how the landscape is spoilt by illegal exploring of tin on the hills. Many acresof forest are destroyed. Sepintu Sedulang dance performed to welcome distinguished guests, the dance describes the open-hearted character of Bangkanese people, it is also performed during festivals occasions, other dance is Lion dance, it is performed to chase away evil spirits, some dancers being under a magicians influence go into a trance.
