View source for Besar Island, Johor

{{Short description|Island in Mersing District, Johor, Malaysia}}
{{About|an island in Johor|an island in Malacca with similar name|Besar Island, Malacca}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Besar Island
| native_name      = Pulau Besar
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| image_name       = Besar Island.jpg
| image_size       = 250px
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| pushpin_map             = Malaysia Johor
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| coordinates      = {{coord|2|26|30|N|103|59|00|E|display=inline,title}}
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| elevation_m      = 258
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| country          = [[Malaysia]]
| country_admin_divisions_title      = State
| country_admin_divisions            = [[Johor]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1    = District
| country_admin_divisions_1          = [[Mersing District|Mersing]]
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'''Besar Island''' ({{langx|ms|Pulau Besar}}), also known as '''Babi Besar Island''' ({{langx|ms|Pulau Babi Besar}})<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_Cavs681Ym8C&dq=%22pulau+babi+besar%22&pg=PA145 |title=South China Sea |date=2004 |publisher=ProStar Publications |isbn=978-1-57785-652-8 |language=en}}</ref>  is an [[island]] in [[Mersing District]], [[Johor]], [[Malaysia]].
==Name==
A [[word of mouth]] legend tells of a fisherman's wife who was pregnant and craved for [[seaweed]] to eat. Upon eating the seaweed, she turned into a mermaid. Her husband was extremely angered by this, and screamed ''"babi! babi! babi!"'' (''"pig! pig! pig!"''; here used as an insult or curse), and called the island "pulau babi" ("pig island") from then on. <ref> {{cite web |url=https://iamlejen.com/kisah-lagenda-pulau-babi-besar-dan-misteri-ikan-duyung-di-johor/ |title= Kisah Lagenda Pulau Babi Besar dan Misteri Ikan Duyung di Johor |last=Zainul |first=Tihah |date=16 February 2019 |website=I Am Lejen |access-date=31 August 2023 }} </ref>
==Geology==
The island, which is surrounded by [[Rawa Island|Rawa]], [[Sibu Island|Sibu]] and [[Tinggi Island]], is characterised by quiet, clean beaches of powdery white sand and crystal-clear azure waters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pulaubesar.net/about.html |title=Aseania Resort Pulau Besar  |publisher=Pulaubesar.net |date= |accessdate=13 November 2013}}</ref> To preserve the unspoiled marine life, the Government has gazetted it as a marine park to protect around 60 species of marine life from any activities that can harm their natural habitats within {{convert|2|nmi|km}} around the island.
The island's highest point rises some {{convert|845|ft|m}} above the [[sea level]]. Rich hues of wild vegetation are dappled throughout with the lush greens of the coconut palms and tropical jungles.
==Administrative divisions==
The island is divided into 6 villages, which are:
* Atap Zing Village
* Batu Hitam Village
* Busong Village
* Teluk Bakau Village
* Teluk Kampa Village
* Teluk Penagat Village
==Transportation==
[[File:Besar Island Jetty.jpg|thumb|Besar Island jetty]]
The island is accessible by boat from [[Mersing|Mersing Town]] in Johor mainland.
==See also==
* [[List of islands of Malaysia]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
{{commons category|Besar Island (Johor)}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070205073413/http://www.impressions.com.my/Besar/Dcoconut/besarwriteup.htm Malaysia Travel Guide: Locally known as Pulau Besar or Big Island]
{{Johor}}
{{Geography of Johor}}
[[Category:Islands of Johor]]
[[Category:Mersing District]]