JAKARTA

 Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, Jakarta.
Indonesia, Lonely Planet.1992 Sorey, Robert et.al. 1992.
  Indonesia: A Travel Survival Kit. Singapore: Lonely Planet Publication.

                   
          Jakarta is the capital city of Indonesia.  It covers 661 sq. km. with a population of more than nine millions, that makes Jakarta  becomes the most populated city in Indonesia.   People who live in Jakarta come from various regions with diverse ethnic backgrounds.  Since the city is the center of economic growth,  Jakarta becomes the destination for people who look for fame and fortune.
         Jakarta is decorated with  Sukarno's ambitious architectures such as National Monument (MONAS-Monumen Nasional),  Welcome Monument (Monumen Selamat  Datang), Free Irian Monument (Monumen Pembebasan Irian), and Farmer's Monument (Monumen Petani).  Suharto, the second president, added some recreational facilities, such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII),  Taman Impian Jaya Ancol,  Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), and Ragunan Zoo.


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Puncak Pass.
Indonesia, Lonely Planet.1992
Sorey, Robert et.al. 1992. Indonesia: A Travel Survival Kit. Singapore: Lonely Planet Publication.

West Java is the province of 35.4 million people. Its capital city is Bandung.  Its  indigenous  people are the Sundanese, the Bantenese, the Naga people, and the Badui people.  Even though these people live in part of Java Island, but their cultures are distinct from those of the Javanese who live in Central Java and East Java.  
      The Sundanese's unique musical instruments namely kecapi, angklung, suling, etc.  The popular dance of West Java is called Jaipongan. Their traditional martial art is called Pencak Silat.  The Sundanese also has traditional shadow play, Wayang Golek. 

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EAST JAVA

 
            Pura Balekambang.
          Indonesia, Lonely Planet. 1995
        Turner, Peter et.al. Indonesia: A Travel Survival Kit. Singapore: Lonely Planet Publication.

         East Java includes the island of Madura, which is located in the northwest of the Java Island. East Java's capital city is Surabaya.  The province has an area of 47,922 sq. km. This province's population is about 29.2 million. Most of the people are farmers.
         Although this province does not enormous historical monuments such as those in Central Java,  it has dozens of small temples including Jalatunda and Pura Balekambang.  The grave of the first president of Indonesia, Sukarno, is located in a middle town, Blitar.

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CENTRAL JAVA

A carving on Borobudur Temple.
Indonesia: A World All Its Own, 1996

The province of Central Java includes the Karimun Jawa and the Kangean Islands, which are located in the Java Sea. The area of this province is 354.862 sq. km., with the population of about 30 millions. The indigenous ethnic groups of this province are the Javanese, the Samin people, the Karimun people, and the Kangean people. The capital of Central Java Province is Semarang, one of the biggest cities in Indonesia. In this city there is a traditional herbal medicine museum, Museum Jamu Nyonya Meneer. There is also a very famous Buddhist temple, Sam Po Kong temple.  
The city of Solo is also located in this province. Solo is very famous with its batik and dances. There is also the palace of the Sunan (King) in this city.

      
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DAERAH ISTIMEWA YOGYAKARTA

Wayang
Source: Destination Indonesia. Hongkong: Ismay Publication. 1997

The capital city of DIY is Yogyakarta. DIY is led by the Sultan of Yogyakarta, who acts as the governor under the Indonesian government's jurisdiction.  The Sultan entitles Sultan Hamengkubowono, which means 'the universe on the lap of the king.' The area of DIY is about 3169 sq. km., with population is about three millions.  Yogyakarta was the most powerful Javanese Kingdom   centuries ago.  Right up to the present, this province has been well known as a center of Javanese culture.  It leads the most colorful and beautiful traditional processions, such as Gerebeg Festival.   Besides its various traditional performances, this province is known as the center of traditional music gamelan as well as hand-made crafts.
Interesting sites of this province are Palace of Sultan, Taman Sari, Sono Budoyo Museum, Borobudur, Prambanan, and Kalasan temples,  Malioboro Street, etc.

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