Jakarta

Jakarta

Located on the northwest coast of Java Island, Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, serving as the country’s economic, cultural, and political hub. The city has developed rapidly in recent years and is now one of the fastest-growing urban centers in Asia, having evolved into a world-renowned international metropolis.

Jakarta is a world-famous seaport. As early as the 14th century, it had already developed into a sizable port city. Today, it serves as a key maritime passage between the Pacific and Indian Oceans and an important bridge linking Asia to Oceania. It is also one of Indonesia’s top three tourist cities. Lined with lush greenery and evergreen trees along its streets, Jakarta boasts numerous attractions that captivate every visitor. Its most iconic landmark is the National Monument of Indonesia (Monas), standing at 137 meters tall and shaped like a candlestick. The monument houses facilities such as a rooftop observation deck and a memorial museum.

In addition to the monument, Jakarta is home to world-renowned attractions including the Bogor Botanical Gardens, Independence Square Park, Indonesia Miniature Park (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah), Ancol Dreamland, Jakarta Cathedral, the Thousand Islands, the National Museum of Indonesia, and Istiqlal Mosque.

Jakarta (also known as the "City of Coconut," "Batavia," or "Jayakarta") is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, as well as the largest city in Southeast Asia. It is situated on the northwest coast of Java Island, covering an area of approximately 740 square kilometers with a population of 10.56 million. The Greater Jakarta metropolitan area, which includes surrounding towns, is home to over 30 million residents. As Indonesia’s economic center, Jakarta concentrates much of the nation’s wealth and elite. It holds provincial-level status, with a population mainly composed of Javanese, Betawi, and Sundanese people, along with a minority of ethnic Chinese. The official language is Indonesian.

As Indonesia’s economic center, Jakarta is primarily driven by the financial sector, which contributes 28.7% of the country’s GDP. It hosts the nation’s largest financial institutions and major commercial and industrial organizations. As early as the 15th century, Jakarta was already an important trading port. During the colonial era, it served as the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, engaging in trade across Asia, Europe, and Africa.

On the morning of September 20, 2014, the Olympic Council of Asia’s General Assembly in Incheon passed a resolution awarding Jakarta the right to host the 2018 Asian Games. This marked Indonesia’s return to hosting the event after a 52-year hiatus since the 4th Asian Games in 1962.

On January 18, 2022, the Indonesian Parliament passed a bill to relocate the capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan Province, naming the new capital “Nusantara,” which means “archipelago.”

Must-visit reason: Capital of Indonesia

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia

Country/region where the attraction is located: Indonesia

Province/state where the attraction is located: Special Capital Region of Jakarta

City where the attraction is located: Jakarta