Bengkulu

Established in 1968 on Sumatra's southwest coast, Bengkulu is a province historically known as Bencoolen that boasts a 525-kilometre coastline along the Indian Ocean and is home to the massive Rafflesia flower. With a population exceeding 2.1 million and rich natural resources including coal, gold, and geothermal energy, the region serves as a significant but less developed area within Indonesia.