TARAKAN ISLAND

Indonesian Pulau Tarakan island in Kalimantan Timur provinsi (province), Indonesia. It is situated in the eastern Celebes Sea, off the northeastern coast of Borneo. The island occupies an area of 117 square miles (303 square km) and has a length of approximately 10 miles (16 km). Its coastal area is low and swampy, and there are oil fields on the southwestern coast. During World War II the island was captured (January 1942) by the Japanese and was retaken by the Australians in May 1945. The town of Tarakan lies on the western side of the island. Pop. (1971) 31,118.