Bitung

Bitung
City of Bitung
Kota Bitung
Sarena Besar Island
Cakalang Statue
Port of Bitung
Oil Refineries near the Port of Bitung
Location within North Sulawesi
OpenStreetMap
Bitung
Location in Sulawesi and Indonesia
Bitung
Bitung (Indonesia)
Coordinates: 1°26′50″N 125°11′52″E / 1.44722°N 125.19778°E / 1.44722; 125.19778
Country Indonesia
RegionSulawesi
Province North Sulawesi
Established10 April 1975 (1975-04-10) as 'Administrative City of Bitung'
15 August 1990 (1990-08-15) as 'Bitung City' (Kota Bitung)
Government
  MayorHengky Honandar
  Vice MayorRandito Maringka
Area
  Total
313.51 km2 (121.05 sq mi)
Population
 (mid-2023 estimate)
  Total
232,440
  Density740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (Indonesia Central Time)
  Summer (DST)no DST
Postcodes
955xx
Area code(+62) 438
Vehicle registrationDB
Websitebitungkota.go.id

Bitung, officially the City of Bitung (Indonesian: Kota Bitung), is a coastal city at the north-eastern edge of the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Bitung is located in the province of North Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara), and faces Lembeh Island (which forms two districts of the city), and the Lembeh Strait, which is known for its colourful marine life, in particular sea slugs. Bitung has a population of 187,932 at the 2010 Census, making it the second most populated city in the province after the capital Manado, rising to 225,134 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 232,440 (comprising 119,120 males and 113,330 females).

A number of development projects have been completed, or are currently undergoing centring around the city; these include the Bitung Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Manado–Bitung Toll Road, Bitung International Ocean Going Ship Port, and the Makassar-Bitung rail track; which will automatically make the city a gateway to the Pacific region.