Little Bakkungaan Island

Little Bakkungaan Island (Malay: Pulau Bakungan Kecil) is a tiny, flat, tropical island surrounded by the Sulu Sea[1] in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. The island is the largest of the three Malaysian Turtle Islands that together comprise the Turtle Islands National Park.[2] It covers a land area of 8.5 hectares.[3] It is at the very edge of the international treaty limits separating Malaysia from the Republic of the Philippines. Indeed, the island itself is referred to in the international border treaty concluded in 1930 between the United States (in respect of its then overseas territory, the Philippine Archipelago) and the United Kingdom (in respect of its then protectorate, the State of North Borneo). That treaty sets the international frontier as running in a straight line between Little Bakkungaan Island and Great Bakkungaan Island.[4] Great Bakkungaan Island is one of the Philippine Turtle Islands and less than 2km of water separate the two islands. This makes Little Bakkungaan Island the internationally recognised Malaysian territory that is closest to Philippine territory.[5] The island hosts a turtle hatchery.[6] The island is administered by Sabah Parks.[7] There are several buildings on the island used by park rangers as well as a peer. Much of the island is surrounded by beach.[8]

Little Bakkungaan Island
Little Bakkungaan Island
LocationSabah, Malaysia
Nearest citySandakan
Coordinates6°08′58″N 118°3′15″E
Area0.085 km2 (0.033 sq mi)
Little Bakkungaan Island (right) and Great Bakkungaan Island (left) as seen from Selingan Island.


References
  1. Website of Turtle Islands National Park
  2. Website of Turtle Islands National Park
  3. Sabah Parks website which lists the island as having an area of 8.5 hectares
  4. Convention between the United States and the United Kingdom done at Washington on 2 January 1930
  5. Convention between the United States and the United Kingdom done at Washington on 2 January 1930
  6. Website of Turtle Islands National Park
  7. Website of Turtle Islands National Park
  8. Google Maps


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