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The Karimata Strait (Indonesian: Selat Karimata) is the wide strait that connects the South China Sea to the Java Sea, dividing the islands of Sumatra and Borneo (Kalimantan), both bordering the strait from Indonesian territory. It was known to British sailors in the 18-19th century as the Caramata Passage.
Map of Karimata Strait, Indonesia
The strait is about 150 kilometres (94 mi) wide, as measured from the east coast of the island of Belitung (or Billiton) to the west coast of Borneo (Kalimantan). The much narrower Gaspar Strait separates Belitung from Bangka Island to the west. Bangka lies close to the east coast of Sumatra, separated from it by the Bangka Strait. The Karimata Islands lie in the eastern part of the Karimata strait, north-east of Belitung and off-shore from the west coast of Borneo.
On 28 December 2014 Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 crashed into the strait away from the Java Sea.