Riau

Riau is a province of Indonesia located on the central eastern coast of Sumatra. Its capital and largest city is Pekanbaru. The province borders North Sumatra to the north, West Sumatra to the west, Jambi to the south, and the Malacca Strait to the east. Its terrain is mostly lowland tropical rainforest with extensive river basins that support agriculture, forestry, and oil palm cultivation.

Historically, the area has been part of Malay sultanates and later integrated into the Dutch East Indies. After Indonesia proclaimed independence, Riau became a provincial region of the Republic. In 2002, the province of Kepulauan Riau (the Riau Islands) was separated from Riau, reducing its territorial extent.

Riau's economy relies on natural resources and processing industries. Oil and natural gas are important, along with palm oil, timber, and agriculture. The province contains major urban centers such as Pekanbaru and Dumai, with Dumai serving as a major port. Infrastructure includes Pekanbaru's Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport and road connections linking hinterland towns.

Demographics are diverse. The population is predominantly Malay, with significant groups of Minangkabau, Javanese, Chinese, and indigenous communities. Indonesian is the official language, while Riau Malay is widely spoken in daily life.

Environmental issues include deforestation and peatland drainage associated with plantation development, leading to habitat loss and recurring haze episodes in some years. The province hosts protected areas such as Tesso Nilo National Park and other conservation efforts.