Wangi-wangi, Southeast Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - As many as 100 divers took part in an undersea flag-raising ceremony to mark the country`s 66th independence anniversary in Sombu Beach, Wakatobe, Southeast Sulawesi, on Wednesday.

The ceremony was led by the director general of patriotism of the ministry of defense, Rear Admiral Ken.

The undersea ceremony was held as part of the Sail Wakatobi Belitong 2011 event, to reaffirm the country`s territorial waters r comprising two thirds of the country`s territory.

In view of that the director general of defense potentials Pos M Hutabarat said he hoped the event could become an annual event in coastal regions.

The Wakatobi district administration hosted a dinner reception for crews of 43 yachts participating in the Sail Wakatobi Belitong`s yacht rally and race 2011, at Wangi-wangi harbor, here on Tuesday evening.

Wakatobi District Head Hugua in his welcoming speech said that his district was determined to create a paradise under the sea in Wakatobi, which a coral reef triangle center.

"By having this vision, we hope Wakatobi District can really become a heaven for the Wakatobi people and foreign tourists," he said.

Wakatobi covers a total area of 1.5 million hectares consisting of waters (97 percent) and land (three percent).

In Wakatobi waters, there are 750 species of coral reefs, or 90 percent of the world`s coral reef species which are 850 species.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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