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{{Short description|Archipelago in Southwest Papua, Indonesia}}
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Raja Ampat Islands
| native_name      = Kepulauan Raja Ampat <small>([[Indonesian language|Indonesian]])</small><br/>Kalano Muraha, Kolano Nguraha <small>([[Tidore language|Tidore]])</small><br/>Kalana Fat <small>([[Ma'ya language|Ma'ya]])</small>
| native_name_link = 
| sobriquet        = <!-- or nickname -->
| etymology        = 
| image_name       = File:Raja Ampat Islands - journal.pbio.1001457.g001.png
| image_size       = 
| image_caption    = Panoramic view
| image_alt        = 
| image_map       = Karta ID RajaAmpat Isl.PNG
| map_size       = 250px
| map_caption    = Map of the islands
| pushpin_map              = Indonesia
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in Indonesia
| location         =
| coordinates      = {{coord|-0.2333115|130.5078908|type:airport|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago      = [[Melanesia]]
| waterbody        = 
| total_islands    = 612
| major_islands    = [[Misool]]<br>[[Salawati]]<br>[[Batanta]]<br>[[Waigeo]]
| area_km2         = 8,034.44
| area_footnotes   = 
| elevation_m      = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| highest_mount    = <!--name-->
| Country_heading  = 
| country          = {{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Indonesia]]
| country_admin_divisions_title     = Province
| country_admin_divisions           = [[Southwest Papua]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1   = Regency
| country_admin_divisions_1         = [[Raja Ampat Regency]]
| demonym          = 
| population       = 66,839
| population_as_of = mid 2022 estimate
| population_footnotes = <ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2023.</ref>
| density_km2      = 8.32
| density_rank     =
| density_footnotes = 
| ethnic_groups    = 
}}
'''Raja Ampat''', or the '''Four Kings''', is an [[archipelago]] located off of the northwest tip of [[Bird's Head Peninsula]] (on the island of [[New Guinea]]), [[Southwest Papua |Southwest Papua province]], [[Indonesia]]. It comprises over 1,500 small islands, [[cay]]s, and [[shoal]]s around the four main islands of [[Misool]], [[Salawati]], [[Batanta]], and [[Waigeo]], and the smaller island of [[Kofiau]].

The Raja Ampat [[archipelago]] straddles the [[equator]] and forms part of [[Coral Triangle|the Coral Triangle]], an area of [[Southeast Asia]]n seas containing the richest marine [[biodiversity]] on earth. The Coral Triangle itself is an approximate area west-southwest of the [[Philippines]], east-northeast and southeast of the island of [[Borneo]], and north, east and west of the island of New Guinea, including the seas in between. Thousands of species of marine organisms, from the tiniest [[cleaner shrimp]] and camouflaged [[pygmy seahorse]]s to the majestic [[cetacea]]ns and [[whale shark]]s, thrive in these waters.

Administratively, the archipelago is part of the province of [[Southwest Papua]]. Most of the islands constitute the [[Raja Ampat Regency]], which was separated from [[Sorong Regency]] in 2004. The regency encompasses around {{convert|70,000|km2|mi2|sigfig=2}} of land and sea, of which 8,034.44&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> constitutes the land area and has a population of 64,141 at the 2020 Census;<ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.</ref> the official estimate as at mid 2022 was 66,839.<ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2023.</ref> This excludes the southern half of Salawati Island, which is not part of this regency but instead constitutes the Salawati Selatan and Salawati Tengah Districts of [[Sorong Regency]].

==History==
[[File:TE-2022-100000-belakang.jpg|thumb|Raja Ampat Islands featured on the reverse of the 100,000 [[rupiah]] banknote]]
Archaeological evidence indicates that the Raja Ampat Islands were first visited by humans over 50,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tanudirjo |first=Daud Aris |last2=Gaffney |first2=Dylan |date=2024-08-12 |title=New evidence from West Papua offers fresh clues about how and when humans first moved into the Pacific |url=https://theconversation.com/new-evidence-from-west-papua-offers-fresh-clues-about-how-and-when-humans-first-moved-into-the-pacific-231686 |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref> At this time, [[Misool]] and [[Salawati]] were connected to [[New Guinea]], while [[Waigeo]] and [[Batanta]] formed an island called Waitanta.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gaffney |first=Dylan |last2=Tanudirjo |first2=Daud A. |last3=Djami |first3=Erlin Novita Idje |last4=Mas'ud |first4=Zubair |last5=Macap |first5=Abdul Razak |last6=Russell |first6=Tristan |last7=Dailom |first7=Moses |last8=Ray |first8=Yulio |last9=Higham |first9=Thomas |last10=Bradshaw |first10=Fiona |last11=Petchey |first11=Fiona |last12=Florin |first12=S. Anna |last13=Roberts |first13=Patrick |last14=Lucas |first14=Mary |last15=Tromp |first15=Monica |date=2024-08-13 |title=Human dispersal and plant processing in the Pacific 55 000–50 000 years ago |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/human-dispersal-and-plant-processing-in-the-pacific-55-00050-000-years-ago/49D5AEACCEA56622FEB88C0F248C63EE |journal=Antiquity |language=en |pages=1–20 |doi=10.15184/aqy.2024.83 |issn=0003-598X}}</ref> At the Mololo Cave site, excavations show that early people were processing tree resins and hunting native animals.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gaffney |first=Dylan |last2=Tanudirjo |first2=Daud A. |last3=Djami |first3=Erlin Novita Idje |last4=Mas'ud |first4=Zubair |last5=Macap |first5=Abdul Razak |last6=Russell |first6=Tristan |last7=Dailom |first7=Moses |last8=Ray |first8=Yulio |last9=Higham |first9=Thomas |last10=Bradshaw |first10=Fiona |last11=Petchey |first11=Fiona |last12=Florin |first12=S. Anna |last13=Roberts |first13=Patrick |last14=Lucas |first14=Mary |last15=Tromp |first15=Monica |date=2024-08-13 |title=Human dispersal and plant processing in the Pacific 55 000–50 000 years ago |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/antiquity/article/human-dispersal-and-plant-processing-in-the-pacific-55-00050-000-years-ago/49D5AEACCEA56622FEB88C0F248C63EE |journal=Antiquity |language=en |pages=1–20 |doi=10.15184/aqy.2024.83 |issn=0003-598X}}</ref> Pottery-making communities moved into Raja Ampat about 3500–3000 years ago and may have brought [[Austronesian languages|Austronesian]] languages to the area.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gaffney |first=Dylan |last2=Tanudirjo |first2=Daud |date=2024 |title=Late Holocene potting traditions in the far western Pacific: Evidence from the Raja Ampat Islands, 3500–1000 BP |url=https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/n12314/pdf/ch17.pdf |journal=Terra Australis |volume=57 |pages=359–390 |via=ANU Press}}</ref>

The name of Raja Ampat (''Raja'' means king, and ''empat'' means four) comes from local mythology that told of a woman who found seven eggs, in one version this woman was Boki Tabai, daughter of [[Al-Mansur of Tidore]] and wife to [[Gurabesi]]. Three of the seven hatched and became kings who occupied Raja Ampat Islands, the fourth hatched and settled in Waigama but later migrated to Kalimuri ([[Seram Island|Seram]]). In another version, the fifth egg hatched into a woman (Pin Take) who later washed away to [[Biak Island|Biak]], married [[Manseren Manggoendi|Manar Makeri]], and later gave birth to [[Gurabesi]]. The sixth egg hatched into a spirit, while the seventh egg did not hatch and turned to stone and worshipped as a king in Kali Raja (Wawiyai, Waigeo).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gaffney |first=Dylan |last2=Tanudirjo |first2=Daud |last3=Arnold |first3=Laura |last4=Gaman |first4=Wolter |last5=Russell |first5=Tristan |last6=Djami |first6=Erlin |last7=Macap |first7=Abdul |date=2024-05-23 |title=Five Centuries of Settlement Dynamics and Mobility in the Northern Raja Ampat Islands of West Papua |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00223344.2024.2328015 |journal=The Journal of Pacific History |language=en |pages=1–41 |doi=10.1080/00223344.2024.2328015 |issn=0022-3344}}</ref> Historically the 'four' kingdoms were [[Waigeo Kingdom|Waigeo]], [[Salawati Kingdom|Salawati]], [[Sailolof Kingdom|Sailolof]], [[Misool Kingdom|Misool]], and [[Waigama Kingdom|Waigama]]. Locally Waigama is not considered one of the ''Raja Ampat'', while Sailolof is not considered one of the ''Raja Ampat'' by [[Sultanate of Tidore|Tidore]].<ref name="Mansoben1995pp232-246">{{cite book |last=Mansoben |first=Johszua Robert |author-link= |date=1995 |title=Sistem Politik Tradisional Di Irian Jaya |url= |location=Jakarta |publisher=LIPI - RUL 1995 |pages=232–246|isbn=979-8258-06-1}}</ref>

The first recorded sighting and landing by Europeans of the Raja Ampat Islands was by the Portuguese navigator [[Jorge de Menezes]] and his crew in 1526, en route from [[Biak Island|Biak]], the [[Bird's Head Peninsula]], and [[Waigeo]], to [[Halmahera]] ([[Ternate]]).

Islam first arrived in the Raja Ampat Islands in the 15th century due to political and economic contacts with the [[Sultanate of Bacan|Bacan Sultanate]].<ref name=":1">Wanggai, Toni V. M. (2008). [https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/bitstream/123456789/7292/1/Toni%20Victor%20M.%20Wanggai_Rekonstruksi%20Sejarah%20Umat%20Islam%20di%20Tanah%20Papua.pdf Rekonstruki sejarah umat Islam di tanna Papua] [Reconstruction of the History of lslam in Papua]. Syariff Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-03-13.</ref> During the 16th and 17th centuries, the [[Maluku Islands|Maluku]]-based [[Sultanate of Tidore|Sultanate of Tidore]] had close economic and political ties with the islands, especially with [[Gurabesi]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> During this period, Islam became firmly established, and local chiefs began adopting Islam.<ref name=":2">Slama, Martin (2015), "[https://books.google.com/books?id=JEp1rgEACAAJ Papua as an Islamic Frontier: Preaching in 'the Jungle' and the Multiplicity of Spatio-Temporal Hierarchisations", ''From 'Stone-Age' to 'Real-Time': Exploring Papuan Temporalities, Mobilities and Religiosities''], ANU Press, pp. 243–270, {{ISBN|978-1-925022-43-8}}</ref>

As a consequence of these ties, Raja Ampat was considered a part of the Sultanate of Tidore. After the Dutch invaded Maluku, it was claimed by the Netherlands.

The English explorer [[William Dampier]] gave his name to [[Dampier Strait (Indonesia)|Dampier Strait]], which separates [[Batanta]] Island from Waigeo Island. To the east, there is a strait that separates Batanta from [[Salawati]]. In 1759 Captain William Wilson sailing in the [[East Indiaman]] [[Pondichéry (1754 ship)|''Pitt'']] navigated these waters and named a strait the 'Pitt Strait', after his vessel; this was probably the channel between Batanta and Salawati.

==Climate==
[[File:Weather-raja-ampat.png|thumb|Weather in Raja Ampat.]]
The islands have a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from {{convert|20|to|33|C|F}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rajaampatbiodiversity.com/en/raja-ampat |title=All about Raja Ampat |access-date=2016-11-30 |author=Raja Ampat Biodiversity Resort |date=2016-10-20 }}</ref>

Water temperature in North Raja Ampat ranges from {{convert|28|to|30|C|F}}, while in the South in Misool, it ranges from {{convert|26|to|28|C|F}} (Water temperature chart in Misog ol).

==Ecology==
===Terrestrial===
The islands are part of the [[Vogelkop-Aru lowland rain forests]] ecoregion.<ref>{{WWF ecoregion|name=Vogelkop-Aru lowland rain forests|id=aa0128}}</ref> The rainforests that cover the islands are the natural habitat of many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. Two species of [[bird-of-paradise]], the [[red bird-of-paradise]] (''Paradisaea rubra'') and [[Wilson's bird-of-paradise]] (''Diphyllodes respublica''), are endemic to the islands of Waigeo, Gam, and Batanta.<ref>Charles R. 2019 [https://ecotoursindonesia.com/english/009-birds-of-paradise.html Paradise Birds from New Guinea]</ref>

The recently discovered palm tree ''[[Wallaceodoxa raja-ampat]]'' is endemic to the Raja Ampat Islands.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Three new genera of arecoid palm (Arecaceae) from eastern Malesia |year=2014 |last1=Heatubun |first1=Charlie D. |last2=Zona |first2=Scott |last3=Baker |first3=William J. |journal=Kew Bulletin |volume=69 |issue=3 |doi=10.1007/s12225-014-9525-x |s2cid=24848021 }}</ref>

===Marine===
[[File:Pulau Piaynemo, Raja Ampat.jpg|thumb|Coral reef off of Piaynemo, an island in [[Misool]] District]]
[[File:Raja Ampat Santa Claus Pygmy Seahorse.jpg|thumb|[[Denise's pygmy seahorse]]]]
Raja Ampat is considered the global epicentre of tropical marine [[biodiversity]] and is referred to as "The Crown Jewel" of the [[Bird's Head Peninsula|Bird's Head]] Seascape, which also includes [[Cenderawasih Bay]] and Triton Bay. The region contains more than 600 species of [[hard coral]]s, constituting about 75% of the world's known species, and more than 1,700 species of [[reef fish]] – including on both shallow<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Allen|first1=Gerald|last2=Erdmann|first2=Mark|date=2009-01-09|title=Reef fishes of the Bird's Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia|url=https://checklist.pensoft.net/article/17908/|journal=Check List|language=en|volume=5|issue=3|pages=587–628|doi=10.15560/5.3.587|issn=1809-127X|doi-access=free}}</ref> and [[Mesophotic coral reef|mesophotic]] reefs.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Andradi-Brown|first1=Dominic A.|last2=Beer|first2=Angela J. E.|last3=Colin|first3=Luigi|last4=Hastuti|last5=Head|first5=Catherine E. I.|last6=Hidayat|first6=Nur Ismu|last7=Lindfield|first7=Steven J.|last8=Mitchell|first8=Catherine R.|last9=Pada|first9=Defy N.|last10=Piesinger|first10=Nikola M.|last11=Purwanto|date=2020-10-29|title=Highly diverse mesophotic reef fish communities in Raja Ampat, West Papua|journal=Coral Reefs|volume=40|pages=111–130|language=en|doi=10.1007/s00338-020-02020-7|issn=1432-0975|doi-access=free}}</ref> Compared to similarly-sized ecosystems elsewhere in the world, Raja Ampat's biodiversity is arguably the richest in the world.<ref>Silcock D.. 2013. [http://www.xray-mag.com/content/indonesias-raja-ampat Indonesia's Raja Ampat]. X-Ray Mag | International Dive Magazine. Retrieved on September 25, 2017</ref> Endangered and rare [[marine mammal]]s, such as [[dugong]]s, [[whale]]s (such as [[blue whale|blue]], [[pygmy blue whale|pygmy blue]], [[bryde's whale|Bryde's]], [[omura's whale|Omura's]],<ref>Ogata J. M.. 2017. [http://www.mermaid-liveaboards.com/article/bio-diversity/ambon-banda-islands-raja-ampat/ Ambon – Banda Islands – Raja Ampat]. Mermaid Liveaboards. Retrieved on September 25, 2017</ref><ref>Lindbloom A.. 2017. [http://www.mermaid-liveaboards.com/article/raja-ampat/omuras-whale/ Omura’s Whale]. Mermaid Liveaboards. Retrieved on September 25, 2017</ref><ref>Bird's Head Seascape. [http://birdsheadseascape.com/photography/omuras-whale-alex-lindbloom/ Omura’s Whale by Alex Lindbloom]. Retrieved on September 24, 2017</ref> [[sperm whale|sperm]]), [[dolphin]]s, and even [[orca]]s occur here.<ref>Kahn B., [http://birdsheadseascape.com/conservation-science/marine-mammal-species-biodiversity-in-raja-ampat-2011-15-by-benjamin-kahn/ Marine Mammal Species Biodiversity in Raja Ampat (2011-15)]. Bird's Head Seascape. Retrieved on September 24, 2017</ref><ref>Heike Iris Vester I.H.. Tapilatu F. R.. 2017. [http://thecoraltriangle.com/stories/home-to-the-richest-reefs-on-earth-raja-ampat-is-also-a-mecca-for-whales HOME TO THE RICHEST REEFS ON EARTH, RAJA AMPAT IS ALSO A MECCA FOR WHALES]. The Coral Triangle. Retrieved on September 25, 2017</ref><ref>OceanSounds e.V. - Whale & Dolphin - Research & Conservation. [http://ocean-sounds.org/en_US/whales-raja-ampat/marine-mammals-in-raja-ampat/ Marine Mammals in Raja Ampat]. Retrieved on September 25, 2017</ref> Endangered whale sharks, the largest extant fish species on earth, also thrive in this region.

In the northeast region of Waigeo Island, local villagers have been involved in turtle conservation initiatives by protecting nests or relocating eggs of [[Leatherback sea turtle|leatherback]], [[Olive ridley sea turtle|olive ridley]], and [[Hawksbill sea turtle|hawksbill turtles]]. Their works are supported by the local government and [[Non-governmental organization|NGOs]].<ref>Leo R. 2019 [https://www.naturelifewatch.com/2019/07/marine-life-in-raja-ampat.html Marine Life in Raja Ampat]</ref>

'''Raja Ampat Marine Recreation Park''' was designated in 2009. It is composed of four marine areas – the waters around northern Salawati, Batanta, and southwestern Waigeo, Mayalibit Bay in central Waigeo, the waters southeast of Misool, and waters around the Sembilan Islands north of Misool and west of Salawati.<ref> = "KKPD KABUPATEN KEPULAUAN RAJA AMPAT". ''Protected Planet''. Accessed 8 August 2021. [https://www.protectedplanet.net/555635921]</ref>

{{more citations needed section|date=March 2020}}
[[File:Raja Ampat 1.jpg|thumb|Marine biodiversity of Raja Ampat.]]
The oceanic natural resources around Raja Ampat give the area significant potential as a tourist area, drawing divers, researchers and others with an interest in the marine life there.<ref name="DD2007">{{cite web|url= http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/09/indonesia/doubilet-text |title= Ultra Marine: In far eastern Indonesia, the Raja Ampat islands embrace a phenomenal coral wilderness |work=National Geographic, September 2007|pages=|author= Doubilet, David |access-date=20 August 2023|archive-date=2008-04-09 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080409084522/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/09/indonesia/doubilet-text}}</ref>

According to [[Conservation International]], marine surveys suggest that the marine life diversity in the Raja Ampat area is the highest recorded on Earth.<ref name="DD2007"/> Diversity is considerably greater than any other area sampled in the [[Coral Triangle]] composed of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and [[East Timor]]. The Coral Triangle is the heart of the world's coral reef biodiversity, making Raja Ampat quite possibly the richest coral reef ecosystem in the world.<ref name="DD2007"/>

The area's massive coral colonies, along with relatively high [[sea surface temperature]]s, also suggest that its reefs may be relatively resistant to threats like [[coral bleaching]] and [[coral disease]], which now jeopardize the survival of other coral ecosystems around the world. The Raja Ampat islands are remote and relatively undisturbed by humans.<ref name="DD2007"/>

The [[crown-of-thorns starfish]] eats Raja Ampat's corals, and the destruction this causes among reefs has posed a threat to tourism. The crown-of-thorns starfish, which "can grow around as big as a trash-can lid" and is covered in sharp, stinging spines, has proliferated due to increasing nitrogen in the water from human waste, which in turn causes a spike in [[phytoplankton]] on which the starfish feed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-area-scuba-divers-dig-out-their-old-snorkels-and-fins-to-combat-a-coral-eater/2019/06/23/|title=D.C.-area scuba divers dig out their old snorkels and fins to combat a coral eater |last=Kelly |first=John |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2019-06-23|access-date=2019-06-24}}</ref> In 2019, local divers began the task of reducing starfish populations by injecting the starfish with a 10% [[vinegar]] solution; the dead starfish can then be eaten by local fish.<ref name=":0" />

The high marine diversity in Raja Ampat is strongly influenced by its position between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as coral and fish larvae are more easily shared between the two oceans. Raja Ampat's coral diversity, resilience, and role as a source for larval dispersal make it a global priority for marine protection. Its location results in it being a [[biogeography|biogeographic]] crossroads between Indonesia, Micronesia and the [[Arafura Sea]].<ref name="Asaad18">{{cite journal |last1= Asaad |first1= Irawan |last2= Lundquist |first2= Carolyn J. |last3= Erdmann |first3= Mark V. |last4= Costello |first4= Mark J. |title= Delineating priority areas for marine biodiversity conservation in the Coral Triangle  |journal= Biological Conservation |date= June 2018|volume=222 |issue=2 |pages=198-211|doi= |url= https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320717310200 }}</ref>

1,508 fish species, 537 coral species (a remarkable 96% of all [[scleractinia]]ns recorded from Indonesia are likely to occur in these islands and 75% of all species that exist in the world<ref>{{cite web|author1=Allard, Tom|title=Sea of trouble|url=http://www.theage.com.au/environment/sea-of-trouble-20110701-1gv49.html|publisher=The Age |access-date=2014-07-10 |date=2011-07-02}}</ref>), and 699 mollusk species, the variety of marine life is staggering.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Marine Rapid Assessment of the Raja Ampat Islands, Papua Province, Indonesia |url=https://www.conservation.org/Documents/RAP_Reports/RAP22_Raja_Ampat_Indonesia_Apr-2002.pdf |website=www.conservation.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101025223155/http://www.conservation.org/Documents/RAP_Reports/RAP22_Raja_Ampat_Indonesia_Apr-2002.pdf |archive-date=2010-10-25}}</ref> Raja Ampat is identified as the epicenter of restricted-range reef fishes, in the Coral Triangle with over 100 species of endemic reef fishes, and also an extremely high diversity of reef coral species (over 600
475 species).<ref name="Asaad18"/>

The Raja Ampat Islands have at least three ponds containing harmless jellyfish, all in the Misool area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kakaban.co.id/detail_artikel/20/Tujuh--Danau-Ubur-Ubur-Unik-di-Indonesia- |title=Tujuh Danau Ubur-Ubur Unik di Indonesia |access-date=2014-11-05 |date=2013-08-07 |author=Kakaban }}</ref>

The submarine world around the islands was the subject of the documentary film ''[[Edies Paradies]] 3'' (by Otto C. Honegger), which has been broadcast by the Swiss television network [[Schweizer Fernsehen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaindonesia.com/mediatravelista/index.php/read/2012/02/01/3570/1/Pesona-Raja-Ampat-Difilmkan-di-Swiss |title=Pesona Raja Ampat Difilmkan di Swiss |date=February 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202070545/http://www.mediaindonesia.com/mediatravelista/index.php/read/2012/02/01/3570/1/Pesona-Raja-Ampat-Difilmkan-di-Swiss |archive-date=February 2, 2012 }}</ref>

In March 2017 the {{convert|90|m|ft|0|adj=mid|-long}} cruise ship ''Caledonian Sky'' owned by British tour operator [[Noble Caledonia]] got caught in a low tide and ran aground in the reef. An evaluation team estimated that {{convert|1,600|m2}} of the reef was destroyed, which will likely result in a compensation claim of $1.28 million – $1.92 million. A team of environmentalists and academics estimated much more substantial damage, with potential losses to Indonesia estimated at $18.6 million and a recovery time for the reef spanning decades.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2017/03/14/saving-raja-ampat-waters-with-tourism.html |title=Saving Raja Ampat waters with tourism |author=Seto Wardhana |date=March 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/03/13/cruise-ship-smashes-into-coral-in-raja-ampat.html |title=Cruise ship smashes into coral in Raja Ampat |date=March 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Guard1">{{cite news|last1=Gokkon|first1=Basten|title=British-owned cruise ship wrecks one of Indonesia's best coral reefs|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/10/british-owned-cruise-ship-wrecks-one-of-indonesias-best-coral-reefs|access-date=14 March 2017|work=Guardian|date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

A [[zebra shark]] breeding and release initiative started in 2022, aiming to release 500 sharks by 2032. The wild population was formerly abundant, but a fishing industry that ballooned starting in the 1990s reduced the population to perhaps just 20 individuals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.mongabay.com/2024/06/conservationists-upbeat-as-zebra-shark-reintroduction-in-raja-ampat-gathers-pace/ |title=Conservationists upbeat as zebra shark reintroduction in Raja Ampat gathers pace |author=Hans Nicholas Jong |work=Mongabay |date=18 June 2024 |access-date=25 June 2024}}</ref>

==Population==
The main occupation for people around this area is fishing since the area is dominated by the sea. They live in a small colony of tribes that spreads around the area. Although traditional culture still strongly exists, they are very welcoming to visitors. Raja Ampat people have similarities with the surrounding [[Moluccans|Moluccan people]] and [[Papuan people]], as they speak Papuan and Austronesian languages. The Muslim proportion is much higher compared with other Papuan areas. However, the West Papua province as a whole has a larger Muslim population because of its extensive history with the [[Sultanate of Tidore]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Mitra Tarigan|date=June 30, 2014|title=The Other Side of Raja Ampat|url=http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2014/06/30/199589071/The-Other-Side-of-Raja-Ampat}}</ref>
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Raja Ampat (2010)
|label3 = [[Islam]]
|value3 = 31.83
|color3 = DarkGreen
|label1 = [[Protestantism]]
|value1 = 67.34
|color1 = DarkBlue
|label2 = [[Roman Catholicism]]
|value2 = 0.76
|color2 = Purple
|label5 = [[Buddhism]]
|value5 = 0.01
|color5 = Gold
|label4 = [[Hinduism]]
|value4 = 0.06
|color4 = Orange

}}

== Administration ==
Most of the islands make up the [[Raja Ampat Regency]], a [[Regency (Indonesia)|regency]] ({{lang|id|kabupaten}}) forming part of [[Southwest Papua]]. It came into existence in 2004, before which the archipelago was part of [[Sorong Regency]].<ref>[http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/03/28/raja-ampat-hasanuddin-university-sign-mou.html Raja Ampat, Hasanuddin University sign MoU | The Jakarta Post<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The southern part of the island of [[Salawati]] is not part of the Raja Ampat Regency. Instead, it constitutes the Salawati Selatan and Salawati Tengah Districts of Sorong Regency.<!--not to be confused with Salawati District, which is on the New Guinea mainland across Dampier Strait -->

Raja Ampat Regency is subdivided into the following districts ([[kecamatan]]):
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Name  ||Land<br>area<br>in km<sup>2</sup>|| Population<br>Census<br>2010|| Population<br>Census<br>2020|| Population<br>Estimate<br>mid 2021||Administrative<br>centre||No. of<br>villages||No. of<br>islands||Post<br>code
|-
| Misool Selatan <br>(South Misool) ||align="right"|91.16||align="right"|3,026||align="right"|3,504||align="right"|3,532||Dabatan||align="center"|5||align="center"|295||98485
|-
| Misool Barat <br>(West Misool) ||align="right"|336.84||align="right"|1,291||align="right"|1,498||align="right"|1,510||Lilinta||align="center"|5||align="center"|79||98484
|-
| [[Misool]] (or <br>Misool Utara)||align="right"|1,235.68||align="right"|1,761||align="right"|2,017||align="right"|2,031||Salafen||align="center"|5||align="center"|38||98483
|-
| [[Kofiau]] <sup>(a)</sup> ||align="right"|206.23||align="right"|2,520||align="right"|2,599||align="right"|2,617||Mikiran||align="center"|5||align="center"|29||98482
|-
| Misool Timur <br>(East Misool) ||align="right"|553.66||align="right"|2,651||align="right"|2,835||align="right"|2,855||Folley||align="center"|6||align="center"|136||98486
|-
| Kepulauan Sembilan <br>(Sembilan Islands) ||align="right"|17.21||align="right"|1,458||align="right"|1,458||align="right"|1,468||Weijim Barat||align="center"|4||align="center"|16||98481
|-
| ''Total Raja Ampat Selatan'' ||align="right"|''2,440.78''||align="right"|''12,707''||align="right"|''13,911''||align="right"|''14,003''|| ||align="center"|''30''||align="center"|''593''|| 
|-
| Salawati Utara <br>(North Salawati) ||align="right"|38.52||align="right"|2,144||align="right"|2,597||align="right"|2,629||Samate||align="center"|6||align="center"|59||98495
|-
| Salawati Tengah <sup>(b)</sup><br> (Central Salawati) ||align="right"|572.47||align="right"|1,917||align="right"|1,992||align="right"|2,017||Kalobo||align="center"|10||align="center"| ||98494
|-
| Salawati Barat <br> (West Salawati)   ||align="right"|502.47||align="right"|899||align="right"|1,121||align="right"|1,138||Solol||align="center"|4||align="center"| ||98493
|-
| Batanta Selatan <br> (South Batanta)  ||align="right"|188.77||align="right"|1,312||align="right"|1,598||align="right"|1,619||Yenanas||align="center"|4||align="center"| ||98491
|-
| Batanta Utara <br> (North Batanta)  ||align="right"|290.75||align="right"|909||align="right"|1,599||align="right"|1,620||Yensawai Timur||align="center"|4||align="center"| ||98492
|-
| ''Total Raja Ampat Tengah'' ||align="right"|''1,592.98''||align="right"|''7,181''||align="right"|''8,907''||align="right"|''9,023''|| ||align="center"|''28''||align="center"|''59''|| 
|-
| Waigeo Selatan <br>(South Waigeo) ||align="right"|240.12||align="right"|1,715||align="right"|2,173||align="right"|2,210||Saonek||align="center"|5||align="center"|197||98475
|-
| Teluk Mayalibit <br>(Mayalibit Bay)  ||align="right"|218.87||align="right"|846||align="right"|1,297||align="right"|1,318||Yenanas||align="center"|4||align="center"|34||98473
|-
| Meos Mansar ||align="right"|200.51||align="right"| 1,625||align="right"|2,221||align="right"|2,275||Yinbekwan||align="center"|9||align="center"| ||98472
|-
| Kota Waisai <br> (Waisai Town) ||align="right"|621.93||align="right"|6,976||align="right"|21,797||align="right"|22,541||Waisai||align="center"|4||align="center"| ||98471
|-
| Tiplol Mayalibit ||align="right"|121.87||align="right"|930||align="right"|1,171||align="right"|1,190||Go||align="center"|6||align="center"| ||98474
|-
| Waigeo Barat <br>(West Waigeo)||align="right"|763.64|| align="right"| 1,409||align="right"|1,786||align="right"|1,816||Waisilip||align="center"|5||align="center"|327||98464
|-
| Waigeo Barat Kepulauan <br>(West Waigeo Islands)||align="right"|103.30||align="right"| 2,084||align="right"|2,768||align="right"|2,828||Manyaifun||align="center"|6||align="center"|22||98465
|-
| Waigeo Utara <br>(North Waigeo)||align="right"|149.57||align="right"| 1,477||align="right"|1,800||align="right"|1,821||Kabare||align="center"|6||align="center"| ||98466
|-
| Warwarbomi ||align="right"|297.33|| align="right"| 1,045||align="right"|1,389||align="right"|1,407||Warwanai||align="center"|4||align="center"| ||98467 
|-
| Supnin ||align="right"|223.82|| align="right"| 908||align="right"|1,117||align="right"|1,132||Rauki||align="center"|4||align="center"| ||98463 
|-
| Kepulauan Ayau <sup>(c)</sup> <br>(Ayau Islands)||align="right"|12.66|| align="right"| 1,230||align="right"|1,092||align="right"|1,097||Abidon||align="center"|5||align="center"| ||98462
|-
| Ayau <sup>(c)</sup> ||align="right"|5.83|| align="right"| 989||align="right"|1,103||align="right"|1,108||Dorehkar||align="center"|4||align="center"|45||98461
|-
| Waigeo Timur <br>(East Waigeo)||align="right"|555.40||align="right"| 1,386||align="right"|1,609||align="right"|1,622||Urbinasopen||align="center"|4||align="center"|27||98476
|-
| ''Total Raja Ampat Utara'' ||align="right"|''3,514.85''||align="right"|''22,620''||align="right"|''41,323''||align="right"|''42,367''|| ||align="center"|''63''||align="center"|''652''|| 
|-
| '''Total Regency''' || align="right"| '''7,559.60'''|| align="right"| '''42,508'''|| align="right"| '''64,141'''||align="right"| '''65,403'''||''Waisai''||align="center"|''121''||align="center"|''2,179''||
|}

Note: (a) including the [[Boo Islands]], which lie some distance to the west of Kofiau. (b) Not to be confused with Salawati Tengah District of Sorong Regency, Salawati Tengah District of Rajah Ampat Regency actually forms the southeast portion of Salawati Island. (c) the Ayau Islands (including Ayau District) lie some distance to the north of Waigeo.

Taking account of the 2,757 people of Salawati Selatan and Salawati Tengah Districts which are administratively in [[Sorong Regency]],<ref>{{cite report|title = Distrik Salawati Selatan Dalam Angka 2018| url = https://sorongkab.bps.go.id/publication/2018/09/26/4c4204cb4120d9ec93836e12/distrik-salawati-selatan-dalam-angka-2018| page = 19}}</ref> the total population of the archipelago added up to 69,596 in mid 2022.

There are proposals to divide the current Raja Ampat Regency into three, with Waigeo and its surrounding small islands forming a new North Raja Ampat Regency (''Kabupaten Raja Ampat Utara''), and with Misool and Kofiau and their surrounding small islands forming a new South Raja Ampat Regency (''Kabupaten Raja Ampat Selatan''), leaving the residue of the existing Regency to cover the northern part of Salawati Island (the rest of Salawati Island still lies within Sorong Regency) and Batanta Island (which forms Selat Sagawin District).

==See also==
* [[Raja Ampat languages]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Raja Ampat Regency}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline|Raja Ampat}}
* [http://www.birdsheadseascape.com Bird's Head Seascape]
* [https://www.diveglobal.com/diving/raja-ampat/ Raja Ampat dive sites, map, videos and pictures]
* [https://www.cbsg.org/sites/cbsg.org/files/documents/Zebra%20Shark%20PVA%20Final%20Report_May2021.pdf Population Viability Analysis (PVA) Report for Population Augmentation of Zebra Sharks (''Stegostoma tigrinum'') in Raja Ampat, Indonesia]

{{Southwest Papua}}
{{Tourist attractions in Indonesia}}
{{corals}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Raja Ampat Islands| ]]
[[Category:Coral reefs]]
[[Category:Islands of Western New Guinea]]
[[Category:Landforms of Southwest Papua]]
[[Category:Archipelagoes of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Regencies of Southwest Papua]]

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