Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia,
a country composed of more than 13,000 islands with
a population of over 180 million. Comprising more
than 300 ethnic groups speaking 200 different languages,
the Indonesia population exhibits marked diversity
in its linguistic, culture, and religious traditions.
As the Capital City, Jakarta is a melting pot of
representatives from each of these ethnic groups.
Jakarta is a special territory enjoying the status
of a province, consisting of Greater Jakarta, covering
of 637.44 square km area. Located on the northern
coast of West Java, it is the center of government,
commerce and industry and has an extensive communications
network with the rest of the country and the outside
world. Strategically positioned in the archipelago,
the city is also the principal gateway to the rest
of Indonesia. From the Capital City, sophisticated
land, air, and sea transport is available to the
rest of the country and beyond.
Jakarta
is one of Indonesia's designated tourist areas.
It is a gateway to other tourist destinations in
Indonesia and is equipped with all the means of
modern transportation by air, sea, rail, or by land.
It has the largest and most modern airport in the
country, the most important harbor in Indonesia
and is well connected by rail of good roads to other
destinations in Java, Sumatra, and Bali. As Indonesia's
main gateway, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
serves a growing number of international airlines
and domestic flights. Jakarta is a city of contrasts;
the traditional and the modern, the rich and the
poor, the sacral and the worldly, often stand side
by side in this bustling metropolis. Even its population
gathered from all those diverse ethnic and cultural
groups, which compose Indonesia, are constantly
juxtaposed present reminder of the national motto;
Unity in Diversity.
Finding
its origin in the small early 16th century harbor
town of Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta's founding is thought
to have taken place on June 22, 1527, when it
was re-named Jayakarta, meaning Glorious Victory
by the conquering Prince Fatahillah from neighboring
Cirebon. The Dutch East Indies Company, which
captured the town and destroyed it in 1619, changed
its name into Batavia and made it the center for
the expansion of their power in the East Indies.
Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, Batavia
fell into the hands of the invading Japanese forces
that changed the name of the city into 'Jakarta'
as a gesture aimed at winning the sympathy of
the Indonesians. The name was retained after Indonesia
achieved national independence after the war's
end.
The ethnic of Jakarta called "Orang Betawi"
speaks Betawi Malay, spoken as well in the surrounding
towns such as Bekasi and Tangerang. Their language,
Betawi Malay, has two variations: conventional
Betawi Malay, spoken by elder people and bred
in Jakarta, and modern Jakarta Malay, a slang
form spoken by the younger generation and migrants.
Jakarta's
architecture reflects to a large extent the influx
of outside influences, which came and has remained
in this vital seaport city. Taman Fatahillah Restoration
Project, begun in the early 1970s has restored
one of the oldest sections of Jakarta also known
as Old Batavia to approximately its original state.
The Old Portuguese Church and warehouse have been
rehabilitated into living museums. The old Supreme
Court building is now a museum of fine arts, which
also houses part of the excellent Chinese porcelain
collection of former Vice President Adam Malik.
The old Town Hall has become the Jakarta Museum,
displaying such rare items as Indonesia's old
historical documents and Dutch period furniture.
Its tower clock was once returned to England to
be repaired under its lifetime guarantee, which
up to now has already lasted hundreds of years.
In
recent years, Jakarta has expanded its facilities
for visitors with luxury hotels, fine restaurants,
exciting nightlife and modern shopping centers.
It contains many tourist attractions such as Taman
Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful "Indonesia
in Miniature" Park), restored colonial period
buildings, island resorts in the Pula Seribu (Thousand
Island), and an extensive beach recreation complex
called Ancol. "Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature
Park" popularly called TMII "Taman Mini
Indonesia Indah", built to portray the variety
of cultures found within the many islands contained
in the Republic of Indonesia, this open-air museum
comprises the many architectural forms of arts
and traditions of all Indonesia provinces. It
is proof of the country's motto of Unity in Diversity
as well as Freedom of Religion depicted in the
houses of worship built on the grounds.
Jakarta
has preserved its past and is developing for the
future. Skyscrapers in the center of the city
are part of a new look. Modern luxury hotels today
cater to the discriminating visitors. Transport
within the city is plentiful. Jakarta is the center
of the nation's industrial, political and cultural
life. It is home to many of the country's finest
research institutes, educational facilities, and
cultural organizations. Jakarta is uniquely the
seat of both the national as well as the regional
government.
Over
the last several decades, Jakarta has proudly
developed into one of Asia's most prominent metropolitan
centers. Today, Jakarta's skyline is covered by
modern high rises. The many state-of-the-art shopping
centers, recreation complexes and toll-roads have
become hallmarks of the city. The quality of life
and the general welfare of its inhabitants have
improved considerably with the city's fast pace
of development. Jakarta's cultural richness and
dynamic growth contribute significantly to its
growing importance as one of the world's leading
capital cities.
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Information
and pictures courtesy of Indonesia Tourism. |
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