It is situated 137 kilometers north of the Equator. The main island spans 42 kilometers west to east and 23 kilometers north to south. It occupies 583 square kilometers with a 150 kilometer coast line. The total land area is 640 square kilometers.
Humidity is high and rainfall is abundant.
Malay is the national language and English is the language of administration. Clothing Cotton T-shirts, shorts, denim jeans and other light clothing are the norm for students attending classes at the university.